Update: Back Porch Fire Damages Upper Gwynedd Home

A fire on the rear porch of a twin home at 185 and 189 Wissahickon Ave. in Upper Gwynedd Township was extensively damaged in a fire on Mother's Day.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Upper Gwynedd Township Fire Marshal and damages are estimated in excess of $200,000, according to Upper Gwynedd Fire Chief John Scheiter.

Around 6:14 p.m. Sunday, Upper Gwynedd Township Fire Company responded to the home located on the corner of Wissahickon Avenue and Beaver Street, according to the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety computer-aided dispatch system.

According to Broadcastify.com, the units reported seeing heavy smoke showing from the rear of the home. According to reports on the scanner, around 6:36 p.m., units requested more trucks to assist at the scene.

North Penn Fire Co. in North Wales, the Fairmount Fire Co., of Lansdale, the Towamencin Volunteer Fire Co., Skippack Fire Co. and the Volunter Medical Service Corps. all responded to the scene to assist Upper Gwynedd Fire, along with Upper Gwynedd Police.

Broadcastify later updated to report that a rear porch was the location of the fire. The site said there was "heavy fire" with "exposures to the rear" of the house. Police were reportedly at the scene and the "call was upgraded" around 6:35 p.m.

Upper Gwynedd Police report to Patch that all occupants of the home were out of the house, safely.

Scheiter said resident Keith Tover, who rents the property, was home at the time and heard a popping noise toward the back of the home at 189 Wissahickon Ave. Scheiter said Tover ran out of the house and called 911.

Scheiter said heavy fire was found at the rear of the house upon arrival of the Upper Gwynedd Township Police. The fire was placed under control at 7:31 p.m. with no injuries reported.

Both families of the 2-1/2-story twin had to be relocated, Scheiter said. Tover was placed in temporary housing by the American Red Cross. The Ganzel family had a place to stay with family, Scheiter said. 

Fire crews saved numerous animals from the twin home, including seven Chihuahuas, a pet turtle and a tarantula, according to The Reporter.