From staff reports
Losses have been estimated at $150,000 in a fire that damaged a home on Evergreen Drive in Franklin late Thursday afternoon.
No one was injured in the blaze at the residence at 165 Evergreen that is owned by John C. and Faith N. Pleger, according to a press release from Franklin fire chief James Wetzel.
Wetzel said the first unit arrived at the scene at about 4:40 p.m. and found the garage heavily involved in fire. The blaze had originated in a garbage can in the garage, according to Wetzel.
Fire crews laid a supply line from the hydrant, and Wetzel said an aggressive exterior attack was initiated that knocked the bulk of the fire down.
Firefighters then began an interior attack and finished extinguishing the blaze, according to Wetzel.
Additional crews conducted salvage operations to protect the contents, the chief said.
The Plegers and one of their children were home at the time and were able to leave the house without injury, according to Wetzel.
The Red Cross was contacted to assist the family with emergency housing and essentials.
Wetzel said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Franklin Fire Department responded to the blaze with 13 firefighters. Oil City firefighters and the Seneca Rapid Intervention Team assisted at the scene.
Also assisting were Franklin police, Community Ambulance Service, National Fuel and Penelec. Sandycreek and Rocky Grove volunteer firefighters were on standby.
All units were cleared from the scene at about 7 p.m. Thursday.
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