Fire Heavily Damages Glenside Home

Update 3:55 p.m.: Abington Fire Marshal Ken Clark said following a preliminary search of the house, it appears that no one was home. 

According to Clark, crews from the Edge Hill Fire Co. saw the smoke coming from the rear of the house; the parking lot of the fire company is very close to the house at 234 Maple Ave. 

"We're still making sure the fire is out," Clark said. "With 'balloon construction,' with plaster and two-by-fours, the fire gets into the walls and runs. The fire was in the first and second floors and in between the attic ceiling and roof.

"There's no indication [on how the fire started] but it looks like there's a woodburning stove in the house," Clark said. "It's not uncommon for people to discard ashes -- either from a stove or a fire pit -- thinking they're out, and putting them in the trash."

Clark said the house is stable, however it is "heavily, heavily damaged."

Crews from Edge Hill, Abington, Roslyn, Weldon and Oreland fire companies were on the scene. About 100 fire fighters in total, Clark said. 

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Update 3:41 p.m.: Abington Assistant Fire Marshal John Rohrer said nobody was home when the fire started. Crews continue to work on the fire.

Initial story below.

Fire crews are battling a fire at a home on the 200 block of Maple Avenue in Glenside. The street is closed in both directions.

Smoke is coming out of all visible windows of the house and firefighters are using a circular saw on the roof of the house.

It's not yet clear whether anyone is inside the home or whether anyone was home when the fire started.

Editor Mischa Arnosky is at the scene. We'll have more details as they become available.