Boy in Smith house when fire began

LANGELOTH – Less than 48 hours after members of Slovan Volunteer Fire Department asked Smith Township supervisors to consider hiring a paid firefighter for daylight calls, they were called Friday morning to a house fire in the village of Langeloth.
Slovan fire Chief Brandon Kriznik said a 16-year-old boy was inside the house at 515 Fifth Ave. when the fire broke out in the left rear corner between the first and second floors about 11 a.m. The boy was outside when firefighters arrived. Kriznik said there was heavy smoke and some flames showing from the second floor when they arrived on the scene.
The frigid temperatures did not hamper firefighting efforts, although Kriznik said several firefighters were a little cold.
“We got it knocked down quickly so we didn’t use much water, so we didn’t have problems with ice,” Kriznik said.
There is smoke and water damage throughout the house owned by Kostas Barbush and rented by Stephanie and Mike Griffith. Kriznik said the cause of the fire is likely electrical but the state police fire marshal has been asked to investigate.
Smith Police Chief Bernie LaRue said the call came in as a fire in the bedroom. He plans to talk with the teen who was inside the house to get more information.
Fire department representatives made the request for a paid daylight firefighter to the supervisors at a special meeting Wednesday. The board took the request under consideration, telling firefighters they may consider hire someone qualified to work in the road department as well as handle fire calls.
Kriznik said he and another firefighter who works for him both happened to be at his business, Wally’s Auto & Collision, when the fire tones went off. A firefighter who is a potential applicant for the position also was at his business. Kriznik said it is fortunate they were all there and able to respond.
“If either one of us are out on a tow and no one else is around, we are in trouble,” Kriznik said. “I call in Midway and Mt. Pleasant and Hanover townships because they all have one paid firefighter so I know I am guaranteed to get good, qualified firefighters responding that can help us out. Sometimes, I call McDonald, which also has a paid firefighter.”
Five departments were at the scene, including Slovan and Midway along with Hanover, Jefferson and Mt. Pleasant townships. Calling for help was a necessity to get the manpower to fight the fire, Kriznik said. Burgettstown firefighters were on standby.
Kriznik said it is getting harder to attract volunteer firefighters. He said the state mandates for training also makes it difficult to get and keep firefighters because of the time required.
The Smith supervisors could vote on the position at their March 16 meeting.