Fire breaks out at Mainesburg home

BY ERIC HRIN (STAFF WRITER)
Published: March 13, 2010

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MAINESBURG - Troy firefighters were among those responding to a fire that destroyed a house around 1 p.m. Friday in Mainesburg, Tioga County, Pa..

Mansfield Fire Chief Jim Welch said a male in the house was injured in the fire and taken to the hospital. In addition to Troy, those assisting Mansfield were firefighters from the Blossburg, Tioga, Big Elm, and Wellsboro fire departments. He said the home was "a total loss."

The fire occurred on the corner of Smith Park and Williams roads, off Route 6. Mainesburg is about 12 miles from Troy.

A woman at the scene, Christina Donald of Blossburg, who said she was a former neighbor of the homeowners, identified them as Rod and Ginger Spencer. She said Rod Spencer suffered leg and wrist burns and was taken by ambulance to Troy Community Hospital.

"God will watch over him," she said. "He has lots of friends and loved ones who will stand by him. I know my family will." She noted that he is a very helpful person.

She said Ginger Spencer was not at home at the time of the fire, and was at Wal-Mart with the couple's children.

"It happened to two of the best people," she said. "It's a shame."

Donald said she was in the area when the fire occurred, and she saw smoke, which caused her to panic.

When contacted Friday evening, Rod Spencer said he was working on a fuel line to the furnace, which was malfunctioning, and a heat lamp he was using fell into a puddle of home heating oil on the floor, and ignited, causing the fire. He described his injuries as major, and said they consist of second to third degree burns. He was discharged from Troy Hospital.

"It just blazed right up and I was in the center of it," he said. He said he jumped away.

According to Donald, the family's previous home on the lot had burned down, and Rod Spencer had built this one after that fire, which occurred several years ago.

Welch said the fire was difficult to fight, noting that it was tough getting to the flames as they were between the roof and the cathedral ceiling.

Rod Spencer said he and his wife and children are staying with his brother, Jamie Spencer.

Any type of donations for the family are being accepted. To make a donation, call (570) 549-2348 and ask for Jamie or Candy Spencer.

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; e-mail: reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.

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Antone Braga, 03/13/10 10:52