DERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Flames broke out at a home in Derry Township on Tuesday night, igniting fireworks that were inside, Channel 11's news exchange partners at TribLIVE reported.
The fire was reported just after 9:30 p.m. on North Ruby Street, according to TribLIVE.
While crews battled the flames, they discovered a broken hydrant, officials said. Despite that and the fireworks, the fire was put out in about 20 minutes.
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Emergency dispatchers said one firefighter was taken to a hospital for heat exhaustion.
Alicia Highberger lives in one side of the duplex with her three children. The other side was unoccupied.
“I mean, I never pictured myself going through something and seeing a house go up that quick. I mean, everything’s a total loss... we lost everything," she said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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Derry Borough Municipal Authority manager Amy Forsha told Channel 11 News the broken fire hydrant was last inspected in 2018.
“The firemen then went down the street to a hydrant located near 100 N. Ruby Street and while opening the hydrant the water line was hammered and resulted in a water main break,” Forsha said in a statement to Channel 11 News.
The water main break has left people in the area without service until crews are done testing a new water main.
Highberger said she was in the kitchen getting a bottle for her baby when she herd her kids cry out.
“It’s a blessing my son cried, if not, I would’ve never known there was a fire. It went up so quick, I don’t know how we all got outside," she said.
The family lost everything in the fire except the clothes on their backs. Donations can be dropped off at the Bradenville Fire Hall on High Street.
- 6-month-old girl. Size 6/9 baby clothing, size 2 diapers.
- 18-month-old boy. Size 12 month / 2t clothing, size 4 or 5 diapers.
- 5-year-old boy. Size 4t/5t clothing, small night time pull-ups, size 11 or 12 shoes.