Severe home damage in Bald Eagle Township Thursday fire

MILL HALL, PA – Mill Hall Fire Chief Tony Walker said an investigation will begin Friday to determine the cause of a Thursday afternoon fire that badly damaged a one-story frame home and attached garage on Charlie Drive, off Route 150, in Bald Eagle Township.

Walker told therecord-online the home was occupied by Harold and Cheryl Bartholomew and Mrs. Bartholomew was home at the time of the fire. He said she suffered what was believed a minor arm burn and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

The chief said the attached two-unit garage was “fully involved” when firemen arrived. He said officials had to put out a call for additional tanker trucks to get sufficient water to the site. He said a shuttle run was set up from the nearby boat launch along Bald Eagle Creek; it took 30 to 40 minutes to get the fire under control.

Walker said some 20 firemen, from eight or nine companies responded. He said a Jeep and two riding mowers were lost in the garage area and there was smoke and water damage to the residence.

A family member requested that no photos of the fire scene be taken until an okay from his parents.