Denise Manning used to take insurance claims for a company, including from people whose homes were damaged in fire.

Saturday, she found herself the victim of a house fire, but without insurance.

"To be in that position is very eye-opening," she said.

Ms. Manning said she had left her home at 606 Hamilton Ave., Farrell, shortly the fire broke out. Two sons, a grandson, a niece and a nephew were inside.

Her nephew was in a bedroom when he saw sparks coming from an electrical outlet where a space heater was plugged in, she said.

He ran downstairs to tell someone and, by the time anyone got back upstairs, the clothes in a closet were on fire, she said.

After calling 911 at 1:50 p.m., everyone got out of the house safely.