Brush Fire Spreads Across 10 Acres In Westmoreland Co.
DERRY TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- A brush fire burned about 10 acres of land in Westmoreland County.
The blaze started Tuesday around 11 a.m. just off of Route 981 and Lee Valley Road in Derry Township.
Investigators say a resident sparked the fire by pouring hot ashes from a fireplace onto leaves in the backyard. The flames grew so intense they consumed a small barn.
"It looked like the entire woods back there was engulfed in it," said Danielle Tunstall, a witness. "You couldn't even see the skyline or anything."
According to the fire chief, the leaves that have fallen from the trees over the past few weeks acted as kindling.
The fire was mostly contained to low-lying brush and leaves.
The key to getting it under control was "surround and drown" the fire before it got to gas wells up the hill.
"Heading up hill is kind of hard," said Capt. Dustin Horrell, of the Bradenville VFD. "We got a lot of manpower coming in, a lot of guys getting relieved."
It was mostly out by about 2 p.m., but there were still a few hot spots.
A total of 12 fire companies responded to the scene.
There's no word if the homeowner who allegedly started the fire accidentally will face any charges.
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