Dog Perishes In Weekend Townhome Fire In Newtown

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — A fire on Friday night destroyed a two-story townhouse, took the life of a family pet, and left three families displaced in the Newtown Grant section of the township.

Firefighters were called to Magnolia Drive just after 10 p.m. for a reported house fire.

Subscribe

The Newtown Township Police Department arrived first on the scene and confirmed a working fire. Newtown Fire Rescue Engine 55 arrived next and reported the entire rear of the building on fire, according to Newtown Deputy Chief Nicholas Weaver.

Weaver said Engine 55 immediately launched an offensive attack, which was expanded as additional companies arrived.

There were no injuries reported, but a pet dog perished in the blaze, Weaver said.

(Photo By Nancy Webster)

(Photo By Nancy Webster)

(Photo By Nancy Webster)

Firefighters were on the scene for about three and a half hours, initially battling the fire and then hitting hot spots and conducting mop-up operations.

Assisting Newtown at the scene were Northampton, Lingohocken, Penndel, Upper Makefield, Langhorne-Middletown, and Yardley-Makefield.

Weaver said the two-story townhome where the fire originated is a total loss. Two adjoining townhomes suffered minor fire damage but significant smoke damage.

Three families were left homeless by the fire and are reportedly being assisted by the American Red Cross.

The cause of the fire appears to be accidental in nature but remains under investigation by the Newtown Township Police Department and Newtown’s fire investigators, said Weaver.