FPS staff report
December 8, 2009
Former Conestoga lodge fire believed to be accidental
 Four area fire departments responded to a house fire on Lilly Rd. Saturday afternoon at the former Camp Conestoga complex.
According to Minerva Fire Chief Aaron Stollar, the fire was reported at 2:38 p.m. by a tenant at a duplex owned by Guy Bowling of Canton and occupied by Timothy Milhoan at 1767 Lilly Rd. in Brown Twp. The duplex reportedly was used as the Camp Conestoga Lodge.
Although cause of the fire is undetermined, Stollar said the blaze started in the living room and was considered accidental. Damage was estimated at $70,000 to the structure which was a total loss. He also noted the property owner had no insurance on the loss.
However, firefighters managed to save an adjoining duplex occupied by another family whose names were not available.
Stollar said firefighters were on the scene for some 4 hours. Fire departments responding included Minerva with 4 trucks and 12 firefighters, Brown Twp. with 5 trucks and 16 firefighters; Carroll County with 2 trucks and 7 men and Malvern with 1 truck and six firefighters.
Bartley’s EMT paramedics were called to evaluate Milhoan who reportedly suffered some smoke inhalation. Smoke damage also resulted to the adjoining duplex, Chief Stollar said.
Fire marshal investigating mobile home fire
 The State Fire Marshal’s office has been called to investigate the cause of a fire that destroyed a mobile home complex on Graph Rd. in Harrison Twp. Sunday night.
According to Waynesburg Fire Chief Jim Marraccini, a fire was reported at 6:11 p.m. by a neighbor at the residence of Carl Lewis at 4258 Graph Rd. The Chief said John Weber of the State Fire Marshal’s office visited the scene Monday morning to determine the cause of the fire, which leveled the two mobile homes joined together.
According to Chief Marraccini the fire appeared to have started in the northwest corner of one of the mobile homes. The loss reportedly was not covered by insurance.
Four area volunteer fire departments responded to the alarm and were on the scene for some 5 hours. Crews from Carroll Electric Cooperative were summoned to disconnect the electricity so firemen could fight the blaze. Chief Marraccini said one truck and 4 men returned to the fire at 12:30 a.m. to extinguish flames, which had rekindled the fire.
Fire departments responding included Waynesburg VFD with 2 trucks and 9 men, Dellroy with 3 trucks and 12 firefighters, Carroll County with 2 trucks and 9 men and Magnolia with 3 trucks and 9 firefighters. Water was siphoned from a lake at the ABC Campground on Avalon Rd. via a try-hydrant to help fight the fire, Chief Marraccini said.
Commenting on the cooperation between the four fire departments, Chief Marraccini said the cooperation, fellowship and working together were absolutely outstanding. “The people of Harrison Twp. should be proud of these firefighters in their area,” he added.
The Chief said Lewis refused help from the Red Cross and the Carroll County Firefighters Association and reportedly planned to reside in a camper on his property. |
