Fire rips through roof of century-old Villanova home
Villanova home destroyed in fire; family escapes blaze
A 3-alarm fire destroyed a large home in Villanova overnight, but no injuries were reported.
VILLANOVA, Pa. - Officials say no one was hurt when a three-alarm fire tore through the roof of a historic home in Villanova early Wednesday morning.
Firefighters said the fire was hard to control due to the age of the home, requiring dozens of crews from surrounding companies.
What we know:
Firefighters were called to a home on Lesley Road in Villanova just past midnight for reports of a fire at a residential property.
Dozens of firefighters from local and surrounding companies responded to the scene as the fire raged for over an hour.
Joseph Maguire, Deputy Chief of Radnor Fire Department, said the house's century-old architecture made the firefight challenging.
No injuries were reported.
Dig deeper:
The fire started in the attic area and had already broken through the roof when first responders arrived, said Officer Kyle Hand, Radnor Police Department.
Firefighters from Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties worked for more than two hours to bring the fire under control.
Firefighters had difficulty getting through the ceilings and walls because of the home’s construction, said Joseph McGuire, Fire Chief of Radnor Fire Company.
"A lot of plaster and lap inside there slowed down firefighters getting into where some of the fire was," said McGuire.
Neighbors watched as flames engulfed the multi-million dollar, 6,700-square-foot Colonial built in 1925.
Residents on the block woke up to sirens and firefighters on the street.
Fire plan credited for family’s safe escape
Firefighters credited the family’s emergency plan for making sure everyone got out safely.
"Make sure you have an escape plan from the house, make sure you know where you meet outside so you can account for everybody," said McGuire.
Neighbor Robin Williams said, "I was just thinking of them and I hope everybody got out safely and they got whatever they need to get out that they wanted to save. Just heartbreaking for them all."
This afternoon, family members returned to the home to sort through what was left after the fire, according to officials.
What we don't know:
Firefighters believe the blaze started in the attic, but no cause of the fire has been released.