Fire chases family from Coatesville home

A family escaped injury when fire roared through their Coatesville home, which suffered heavy damage.

COATESVILLE >> A family of five was left homeless after a fire seriously damaged their home on the 700 block of Merchant Street Friday, officials said. Firefighters were dispatched at 3:30 p.m. for smoke from a house in the area of Eighth and Merchant streets. Police quickly confirmed smoke from the roof of the single-family dwelling.

Neigbor Kaileigh Burton-Gloder said she saw smoke near the front of the home and went inside to tell her mother to call the police.

“By the time I came out, the smoke was coming through the roof,” she said.

“We had heavy smoke out of the eaves,” said Coatesville Battalion Chief Craig Patton. Firefighters searched the home, but the residents were not there at the time of the fire. Two hoselines were put into service.

After a few minutes the fire burned through the roof of the home as firefighters pulled the ceiling on the second floor to reach the flames.

Coatesville VA, Keystone Valley, Thorndale, Sadsburyville Modena and Cochranville air bank assisted city units.

The fire was under control in 30 minutes.

Chester County Fire Marshal, John Weer said the prelimary investigation has ruled the fire as accidential with damage estimated at $195,000.

PETE BANNAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA A home on the 700 block of Merchant Street in Coatesville was damaged by fire Friday afternoon. The Red Cross was assisting the family of five who were left homeless.

PETE BANNAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA A Coatesville firefighter removes roofing from a home on the 700 block of Merchant Street in Coatesville to reach hidden fire Friday afternoon. The blaze burned up through the roof.

PETE BANNAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Smoke billows from a house fire on the 700 block of Merchant Street in Coatesville Friday afternoon.