Four people were displaced after a third-alarm fire caused significant damage to a College Township home on Thursday.
Fire companies were dispatched at about 6:15 p.m. to the blaze at a single-story home on the 900 block of Oak Ridge Avenue in the Centre Hills Village neighborhood, where multiple calls reported heavy smoke and flames coming from the back of the house, according to Alpha Fire Company Chief Jason Troup. Smoke from the fire could be seen from miles away.
The couple who own the home, the resident of an attached apartment and a guest were home at the time but got out safely. They are being assisted by the American Red Cross, Troup said.
The fire appeared to begin at the back of the house, and a preliminary investigation indicated it may have started around an outdoor grill, Troup said. The Centre Region fire marshal was still working to confirm the cause.
The fire went into the eaves of the house and spread into the attic, which was mostly destroyed. The kitchen ceiling also collapsed and most of the roof was gone.
Troup described the home as “pretty close to a total loss,” though fire fighters were able to save some valuables.
While the fire was knocked down, crews were still working to douse hotspots after 8 p.m. on Thursday.
Alpha, Boalsburg and Undine fire companies, Centre LifeLink EMS and State College police responded.
West Penn Power also was called to cut power to the house and apartment, according to Centre County dispatch.
Oak Ridge Avenue was closed between Country Club Road and Squirrel Drive while emergency responders were on the scene.
