Dryer Source of House Fire in Montgomery Township

The homeowners of 100 Cheswick Drive in Montgomery Township — who have lived there for about nine years and just entered into a contract to sell their home — didn't know what was going on Tuesday morning.

"We heard the alarm and there was smoke in the house," said Landa Propato.

Preliminary investigation showed the small fire was on the second floor laundry area of the home.

Montgomery Township Fire Marshal Rick Lesniak told Michael Goldberg of The Reporter that the couple awoke to a fire alarm at 10:30 a.m. and saw smoke coming from behind the washer and dryer.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The fire was under control by 11:15 a.m.

Firefighters arriving at the scene reported seeing "light smoke" coming from the second floor of the home.

The Propatos were home at the time of the fire; they evacuated the home and there were no reported injuries.

Fire crews removed a large amount of insulation and dryer exhaust piping from the home.

Fire Department of Montgomery Township was assisted at the scene by Fairmount Fire Co. of Lansdale, Wissahickon Fire Co., North Penn Vol. Fire Co., and Montgomery Township Police. Volunteer Medical Service Corps, Wissahickon Fire Police and Fairmount Fire Police also assisted at the scene.

Special thanks to neighbor Daniel Palmer of 105 Avondale Drive for offering shelter to Lansdale Patch editor Tony Di Domizio and The Reporter writer Michael Goldberg in the 19-degree weather, as they waited for comment from officials.