Fire Heavily Damages North Wales Home, Again

A North Wales home that had recently been renovated following a February fire was heavily damaged by fire again Wednesday evening.

The latest fire began in the basement of the residence on South 7th Street in the borough.

"They had to remodel the whole thing," said a woman who would only identify herself as "Donna" and said she was the homeowners' daughter. "They had just recently gotten back into the house."

Donna said the February fire happened after "a heater exploded."

"Everybody is fine. My dad got out and called 911," said Donna of the Wednesday evening blaze. She said her parents would stay with her brother or go to a hotel.

Several fire companies including North Penn Volunteer, Worcester, Montgomery Township (Ladder 18 and Rescue), Fairmount Fire Company, and  responded to the scene, along with the Volunteer Medical Services Corps.

Earlier story and updates below.

Update 7:54 p.m.: According to a woman named "Donna," who claimed to be the home owners' daughter, her father was the only person home at the time of the fire. He has made it safely from the home.

No injuries have been reported.

Donna said that her parents had just moved back into the home after renovations had been made after a fire back in February (2011). She said that her parents had a place to stay tonight, as they would reside with her for the time being.

Donna, who would not provide her last name to reporters, said that the February 2011 fire was caused by a heater explosion. Today's fire was said to begin in the home's basement, but the cause has not yet been determined.

Patch will provide more details from the fire departments involved as soon as they become available.

Update 7:33 p.m.: Patch reporter Keith Heffintrayer is on scene and reports that here are fire companies from North Penn Volunteer, Worcester, (Ladder 18 and Rescue), Fairmount, and , along with EMS from the Volunteer Medical Services Corps.

Both a ladder and hose truck are current being used to knock out the fire from the structure.

Firefighters can be seen inspecting the second and third floors with flashlights.

A neighbor on scene reports that the same house had a fire back in February 2011.

Original posted story is as follows:

According to Breaking News Network (BNN), a fire has been reported at 223 S. 7th St., in North Wales. BNN reports smoke can be seen emerging from the structure's basement.

The Montgomery County Fire Wire's Facebook page also reports the same fire. The page reports that "Chief 62 (is) on scene" and that "heavy smoke from the rear of building" is showing in a "working basement fire."

Both fire station 62 and emergency medical services (EMS) have been dispatched to the scene, according to Montgomery County's Department of Public Safety.

Patch is heading to the scene now, and will provide readers with updates as they become available.