12 acres scorched by fire at state wildlife area

5/2/2003

A fire yesterday at the Metzger Marsh State Wildlife Area in Jerusalem Township scorched 12 acres, township Fire Chief Floyd Tefft said.

Firefighters responded to the marsh fire about 1:30 p.m., and it took nearly two hours to extinguish. Firefighters did not know the cause of the fire. “It was a grass fire that burned the tops of the cattails,” Chief Tefft said.

Almost immediately after the marsh fire, the township's volunteer fire department responded to a house fire at 679 Pavilion Rd.

The blaze, which started just before 3:40 p.m. on a stove and spread to the attic, caused about $5,000 damage. It took about 20 minutes to extinguish.

Two occupants of the house, whose names were unavailable, were home when the fire started. They weren't hurt, the chief said.