Franklin home damaged by fire, no one injured

From staff reports

A Grant Street home in Franklin was severely damaged by fire on Wednesday.

No one was injured in the blaze as the homeowner wasn’t home at the time.

Franklin firefighters were dispatched to the residence at 136 Grant at about 11:30 a.m., and smoke was visible from the second floor and attic area as crews arrived, according to Franklin fire chief James Wetzel.

Firefighters were initially unable to locate the seat of the fire due to extreme smoke conditions on the second floor, Wetzel said. Crews then spotted the fire in a second floor bedroom and quickly knocked the flames down, Wetzel said.

Additional crews began covering belongings on the first floor with tarps to prevent any further water damage, according to Wetzel.

The house sustained heat, smoke and water damage to the second floor and smoke and water damage to the first floor, Wetzel said.

He estimated damages at about $75,000 to the house and its contents.

The house is owned by Patricia Resinger, and Wetzel said she wasn’t home at the time. He added that the house and contents were insured.

Franklin Fire Department was assisted at the scene by Oil City Fire Department, Seneca Volunteer Fire Department, Franklin police, Community Ambulance Service and Franklin public works employees.

Rocky Grove and Sandycreek volunteer firefighters were on standby.

Wetzel said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

The scene was cleared by about 1:30 p.m., Wetzel said.