Flames tore through a century-old Main Line house in Villanova overnight, gutting most of the home and keeping firefighters on scene for hours. The people inside woke to the unnerving sound of crackling, scrambled out, and, according to officials, made it out without any injuries.
Fire crews were called just after midnight to the 800 block of Lesley Road, where they arrived to find heavy flames and smoke pouring from the roof. Investigators say the fire started in the attic, according to NBC10 Philadelphia. Neighbors and the family told reporters they were jolted awake by the sound of crackling and were able to get outside before firefighters pulled up.
Third-Alarm Response Turns Into Overnight Grind
What began as a late-night call quickly escalated into a third-alarm blaze that pulled in units from Delaware, Montgomery and Chester counties. Crews had the bulk of the flames under control by about 3 a.m., CBS News Philadelphia reported. Officials said the home’s sheer size and age meant firefighters had to rotate fresh crews through as they worked for hours to knock down hot spots.
Old-School Construction Makes for Tough Firefight
Radnor Township Fire Chief Joseph Maguire told NBC10 Philadelphia, “The house is a little over a hundred years old and had extensive plaster that slowed crews getting to the fire.” He said more than 100 firefighters and roughly 30 pieces of equipment were brought in to battle the blaze. Maguire also stressed that working smoke alarms and a practiced escape plan were key reasons everyone got out safely.
Cause Still Under Investigation
The Pennsylvania State Police and the Delaware County Fire Marshal’s Office have been called in to determine what sparked the fire, and officials say an official cause has not yet been released. CBS News Philadelphia reports that investigators remain on scene as they work to piece together how the overnight inferno began.
