Man trying to thaw frozen pipes burnt down home

A man trying to thaw the pipes with a hair dryer and heater in his home in Marion Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania caused a huge fire at around 4pm on Friday.



The single-story home, built on stilts because of its proximity to a nearby creek and the creek’s tendency to flood, was destroyed. Firefighters from companies in both Beaver and Butler counties battled the flames.

“The house was so far gone, there was nothing we could do to save it when we got to the scene,” Assistant Fire Chief John Murtha said. Homeowner Leonard Szulczewski, at times in tears, says he lost everything in the fire, including his treasured baseball memorabilia collection.



The fire started after Szulczewski used a hair dryer and a propane or kerosene heater to thaw out frozen pipes under the house. He said he apparently fell asleep on a couch and was awakened by popping sounds. Szulczewski managed to get out safely.

There's a news video here.