By James B. Bartle
A homeowner attempting to smoke squirrels out of his attic accidently caught his home on fire Wednesday night, Nov. 18, at 5:26 p.m.
According to Sullivan Fire Chief Rich White, firefighters arrived on the scene of 57 Modern St., owned by Jim Bowman, at 5:31 p.m. and discovered fire coming through the roof of the home.
“Firefighters arrived on the scene and located fire coming through the roof of the home, which served as an apartment house,” said Chief White. “Everybody was out of the home when we arrived on the scene.”
Firefighters brought the blaze under control at 5:46 p.m.; however, extensive-to-total damage was brought to the upstairs of the home and the basement area sustained extensive water damage.
St. Clair Fire Dept. was called in to assist with the fire and also responded to Sullivan House One to handle any additional alarms in the district during the fire.
White stated that the homeowner was having trouble with squirrels in his attic and decided to take a can, put paper in it, then light it on fire, in an attempt to smoke out the squirrels.”
Moments later, the home caught fire and firefighters were called to the scene.
Two animals in a lower apartment were uninjured and escaped the fire.