Fire that destroyed Bucks County family's home caused by backyard fire pit: Officials
Bucks family saved from fire by hero cop
A family in Bucks County is left with nothing after a fire destroyed their home, but they are grateful to be alive. Eight people were rescued thanks to a quick-thinking police officer and a good Samaritan.
PENNDEL, Pa. - Investigators on Friday ruled that the fire that destroyed a Bucks County family's home this week was an accident.
Fire destroys Penndel home
The backstory:
The fire started around 5 a.m. on Dec. 11, at a home on West Woodland Avenue. Eight people who live in the home were pulled to safety by a Penndel police officer and a good Samaritan.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Bucks County fire: 8 saved by hero cop and neighbor
No one was injured in the fire, but the home suffered "catastrophic" damage, according to the Fire Marshal's Office, and the remains of the house were demolished due to safety concerns.
Fire ruled an accident
What we know:
On Friday, the Fire Marshal's Office announced that the fire was an accident.
Officials said the fire originated in a fire pit in the backyard, which lit other combustibles nearby, and eventually spread to the house.
The Fire Marshal used the incident to remind residents to never leave fire pits unattended, make sure they're placed away from other things that could catch fire, and to always fully extinguish them when you're done.
What they're saying:
Penndel Police Officer Sean Peck and neighbor Justin Ritorto, who was up early and saw the fire, prevented what could have been a major tragedy.
"If he didn’t get them out when they did, it would’ve been a totally different outcome," said Chief Sean Perry of the Penndel Police Department. Justin Ritorto, the good Samaritan, recounted, "As I was banging on the house that was on fire, the police officer came running across the street, and I was able to finally get someone to answer the door."
What you can do:
A GoFundMe was created to help the family who lost everything due to the devastating fire.
The Source: Information in this story is from the Penndel Borough Fire Marshal's Office and previous FOX 29 reports.