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Washington Co. family escapes massive fire that destroys their home

WASHINGTON CO., Pa. — A Washington County family escaped a massive fire at their house but lost everything inside.

Several fire departments responded to the blaze Sunday morning on Quarry Road in South Strabane Township. The homeowner told Channel 11 that the smoke and heat actually woke him up.

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“I could feel the heat coming right through the wall,” said Sonny Keeney. ““The heat and the fire just knocked me back into my bedroom. It literally knocked me back and I’m thinking, ‘I got to get out of this room.'"

His home of 45 years turned into an inferno in just minutes. The house was charred, gutted by the large flames.

The retired iron worker sprinted into action. Keeney said he plowed through the bedroom door, quickly getting his wife and two sons out of the house -- and then tried to put the fire out himself with a garden hose.

Keeney told Channel 11 he was able to find his wife’s wallet in the debris, but that was about it. He said he has insurance, and his family is staying with his daughter for now.

The fire marshal is still investigating what exactly caused the destructive blaze.