The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

November 16, 2009

UPDATE: Fire chases family from new home

By Courtney L. Anderson

SHARON — A family of five was displaced by a kitchen fire early Friday in the Sharon home they recently moved into.

Sharon fire Chief Terry Whalen said firefighters were called at 1:43 a.m. to a fire at 700 McClure Ave.

The fire was an accident that started on the stove, Whalen said.

The home is owned by Sts. Peter and Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Whalen said, and Damian and Crystal Bowser lived there with three children ages 3, 16 months and one month.

Whalen said the family was “very fortunate” that the mother woke up and smelled smoke.

“They got out just with the clothes on their backs,” Whalen said. “They didn’t even have shoes on.”

The church has insurance on the building but the couple does not have rental insurance, Whalen said. They moved into the home less than two weeks ago, he said.

That no one was hurt is a “miracle,” the Rev. Jeffrey Harter said.

Harter said the church is not sure if it will repair the home, which is gutted.

Harter said the congregation has come through with donations and clothing and the church refunded the Bowsers’ rent for the month.

The church will collect “any kind of donations” for the family at 699 Stambaugh Ave., and there will be a basket set up at a fun night at 6 p.m. Sunday at the church, Harter said. That event is free to the public.

In addition to help from the church, Whalen said the Mercer County chapter of the American Red Cross offered assistance to the family, who are now staying with relatives. The fire department also gave them blankets and a gift card.

The fire was in the kitchen, but there was heavy smoke and heat damage throughout the home, Whalen said.

Firefighters got to the blaze within three minutes and it was out within 15 minutes, Whalen said.

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