Apr 28, 2015 2 min read

ALEPPO – The state police fire marshal is investigating what ignited the fire that destroyed a vacant home in Aleppo Township early Tuesday.

Crews responded to the fire in the 600 block of Green Valley Road shortly after 4 a.m. and found the three-bedroom house engulfed in flames, New Freeport fire Chief Allan Shipman said.

“It was pretty well to the ground when we got there,” Shipman said.

No one was living inside the home, although utilities were still working inside, Shipman said. He did not immediately know where the fire originated and would not say if investigators think the blaze is suspicious.

The property owners, Don and Frances Strait, said no one has lived in the wood-framed house for several years, but the couple occasionally visited on weekends. Don Strait, 77, said he grew up in the house with one part that dates to before the Civil War.

They live nearby and arrived hours after the fire to survey the damage.

“We’re a little rattled right now,” Frances Strait said as they walked around the smoldering remnants of the foundation.

Shipman said no injuries were reported.

Firefighters from Richhill Township and Cameron, W.Va., assisted New Freeport at the scene, while Center and Wayne volunteer fire departments were placed on standby.