Dodgingtown Home Damaged By Flash Fire

By Andrew Gorosko

A Dodgingtown home received an estimated $80,000 in fire, smoke and heat damage Sunday morning when gasoline fumes in the basement ignited in a flash fire, said Fire Marshal George Lockwood.

The four members of the Svharf family were home when the fire occurred, but no one was injured in the incident at 13 Flat Swamp Road at 7:52 am, the fire marshal said.

A motorcycle, which was parked in the basement, was leaking gasoline, causing gasoline vapors to concentrate there, Mr Lockwood said. When a hot water heater in the basement turned on, it cast a spark, which ignited the gasoline-rich atmosphere, causing a flash fire, he said.

The concussion from the fiery explosion blew out a first-story picture window from the rear of the house into the back yard, the fire marshal said.

Workmen who were doing landscaping at a nearby residence rushed to the scene with fire extinguishers and put out the fire, the fire marshal said. The workmen saved the house from being destroyed, he noted.

Initially, the fire burned intensely, after which it became sporadic, the fire marshal said. The blaze was fully out in about 10 minutes, he said.

The flash fire caused the basement ceiling to ignite as well as some clothing, causing scorch damage to the lowest level of the building. The fire also caused heavy heat and smoke damage to the two stories above the basement of the Colonial house, Mr Lockwood said.

Dodgingtown, Hook and Ladder, Hawleyville and Sandy Hook firefighters were called.

The building is insured for fire damage, the fire marshal said. The Svharf family is living away from the house and plans to repair the damage, he said.