File photo
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
An Upper Makefield home was damaged Thursday evening by a fire that originated on the roof.
The home in the 400 block of Stoneybrook Road suffered water damage after firefighters from several companies extinguished a blaze that started with roof material, Fire Marshal John Kernan said.
The evening blaze was sparked from remnants from an afternoon fire caused by roofing material. The roofer had thought they extinguished the blaze but it is believed it simmered under the surface before reemerging after dark, Kernan said.
The residents – a husband and wife – were able to escape and were unhurt. The husband was a former Upper Makefield Volunteer Fire Company firefighter who just had a pacemaker installed, the fire marshal said.
“we were lucky and got their in time,” Upper Makefield Fire Company Chief Tim Brewer said.
The contractors were reportedly made aware of the fire and were ashamed of what happened.
Kernan advised any roofing contractors to call the fire dispatch center to alert them of any roof blazes, even if they were extinguished, so a fire official can visit the site and confirm.
The residents will be staying in another dwelling on the property until the fire damaged home is habitable again.
Upper Makefield firefighters were assisted by the the Eagle Fire Company in New Hope, Newtown Fire Association, Lingohocken Fire Company in Wrightstown and the Union Fire Company in Titusville, New Jersey.
