Published Saturday, November 16, 2002
a total loss
By Sherris Moreira-Byers
Herald Staff Writer
Flames from a mobile home fire in Shenango Township could be seen shooting into the sky from as far away as Farrell at about 7 p.m. Friday.
The residence at 20 Hnida Lane, which belongs to Mike and Michelle Fuchs, appeared to be a total loss.
Witnesses suspected the fire may have started in the living room in the center of the mobile home, because that was the area most damaged by the flames. Firefighters battling those flames worried about the furnace's propane tank exploding and about a collection of guns and ammunition in the back bedroom, that if ignited, could have made the fire a deadly one.
The Fuchses, who had lived in the home for about 10 years, and their four sons -- ages 13, 11, 5 and 2 -- were not home when the fire broke out. Two cats and a dog were safe, but family members said they were looking for another cat.
According to Fuchs' brother, Pete, also of Shenango Township, a neighbor called 911 at about 6:30 p.m.
The mobile home, which had an attached deck, was a charred shell, but a shed and a free-standing garage were not damaged, Pete Fuchs said. A mini-van parked close to the home may have sustained some fire damage, he added.
"Everything is gone. We don't have anything left," Mike Fuchs said, gesturing to his smoking home.
"We lost everything. All we have is each other," said his wife, who was sitting in a sport utility vehicle in the front yard.
Irreplaceable trophies from one of the boys' motorcross competitions were among the losses, Pete Fuchs said.
"The whole insides are totally gone. Thank God no one was hurt," he said.
The Fuchses, who had insurance on the structure, said they will be staying with family members.
The cause of the fire was unknown Friday evening, a firefighter said.