Major Fire In Whitemarsh Leaves 2 Pets Dead, 3 Firefighters Injured

WHITEMARSH, PA — A major fire fueled by strong winds severely damaged a Montgomery County home Thursday night, leaving two pets dead and three firefighters injured, authorities said.

The incident began at 8:34 p.m. on the 700 block of Germantown Pike in Whitemarsh Township.

The winds significantly "fueled" the fire, officials said, and challenges were compounded by the below-freezing temperatures.

The blaze was large and rapidly spreading when crews first arrived, spreading on the south side of the home, officials said.

Firefighters deployed multiple hose lines to attack the blaze, while ladders were used to gain access to the home to search for residents.

The human residents were not at home during the fire, but both the dog and the cat inside the home were killed.

Two firefighters were burned while searching the home, while a third slipped on ice and suffered a shoulder injury.

The blaze was ultimately extinguished before spreading further.

The cause is not yet clear and remains under investigation.

"It was a challenging night," Barren Hill Fire Company shared in a statement. "But as always, our Community's VOLUNTEERS stood tall in the moment."

The injured firefighters are at home recovering. The family who lost their home, meanwhile, face a steep road to recovery.