News Reports
Fire leaves family homeless
By Denny Clopper, September 22, 2005
 |
| An early-morning blaze today left a Shippensburg-area
family homeless. Watching as their home burns are, left
to right, young Mike Orndorff on the lap of Charles Ricker,
and Teresa, Tresa and John Ricker. (Denny Clopper/Special
to The Sentinel) |
Charles and Teresa Ricker, their children John and Tresa Ricker and 5-year-old Mike Orndorff were lodged at a local hotel, according to American Red Cross spokeswoman in Carlisle.
The front of the family's mobile home in the first block of Gutshall Road was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at the scene of the 3:28 a.m. alarm, Vigilant Hose Co. Chief Clyde Tinner said.
Tresa Ricker said she was awakened by the family's cat and thought she smelled smoke. She said the smell became stronger as she walked toward the front of the home, and she discovered the blaze in the kitchen and laundry area.
She alerted the rest of the family, she said, and they escaped out the back door. The cat was unaccounted for.
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| Firefighters suspect a clothes dryer in the front of the home, may have been the source of the fire. (Denny Clopper/Special to The Sentinel) |
A state police fire marshal has been notified.
John Ricker said the batteries in three smoke detectors in the mobile home were dead at the time of the blaze.
Chief Tinner stressed the importance of smoke detectors and reminded everyone to change the batteries at least once per year.
Firefighters remained on the scene for about 90 minutes, performing overhaul and salvage operations. Units assisting Vigilant Hose Co. were CV Hose Co., CV EMS, West End Fire and Rescue, Newburg-Hopewell Volunteer Fire Co. and Penn Township Volunteer Fire Co. No other details were available at this time.
The property is reportedly owned by Pete and Frances Nunder of Chambersburg.