Rapid response to fire prevents total loss of home | News, Sports, Jobs

A fire that broke out on a mattress was contained to one room in the house. (Photo provided by Calcutta Volunteer Fire Brigade)

ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP — The quick response of Calcutta, Glenmoor and Liverpool Township volunteer fire departments saved a family's home from total loss when a fire broke out Friday afternoon.

A call reporting a mattress on fire in an upstairs bedroom of a home at 49478 Moore Ave. was received by the East Liverpool Police Department at 2:55 p.m. A tone was sent to the fire stations at 2:56 p.m. and the first engine arrived on scene at 3:03 p.m. At 3:24 p.m., firefighters brought the fire under control and were able to evacuate the scene at 4:14 p.m.

According to Calcutta Fire Chief Dave McCoy, a quick entry by Lt. Randy Schneider and rapid suppression of the fire, which they were able to contain to the bedroom where it started, saved the house.

The power company was not called because the power was shut off at the home's main circuit breaker.

Fire damage, estimated by McCoy at about $10,000, was limited to the bedroom, and some water damage was caused to a room below. McCoy estimated the loss of personal property at around $3,000.

The house was occupied by the owner, Stephen Schaeffer, and his family.

The Red Cross arrived on site and provided assistance to the family, including three children, for a few days.

According to McCoy, there was no insurance.

Neither the occupants nor the firefighters were injured.