HUNTER'S STATION - A fire marshal could not determine the cause of a blaze that destroyed a house near here Monday night.
East Cameron Township Fire Chief Jim Reed said state police fire marshal Kirk Renn, of the Milton barracks, conducted interviews and investigated the scene at 158 Heintzelman Road in West Cameron Township Tuesday.
"There was just too much damage to determine a cause," Reed said.
The house burned to the ground and was a "total loss," leaving renters Missy Hetzendorff and Shane Shingara homeless. He said two children lived at the home as well. No one was home at the time of the fire.
Trevorton Fire Chief Ed Reed, who supplied the names of the renters, said the couple were not insured for their loss. Homeowner Andy Hayes is, he said.
East Cameron Township Assistant Fire Chief George Kerstetter said the home was fully engulfed in flames when he arrived five minutes after the Northumberland County Communications Center dispatched units at 7:02 p.m. Monday.
Before firefighters arrived, Jimmy Williams, who was coming to visit his girlfriend, and his friend, Josh Maloney, arrived and noticed smoke. They entered the house to see if anyone was home before being forced out by flames and smoke. They did manage to save a dog.
Firefighters said suppression efforts were initially hampered by a water supply issue and by access to the home, which is located on a one-lane dirt road.
Heintzelman Road intersects with Lower Road about five miles east of Route 225 at Hunter's Station.