SCRANTON — An elderly couple escaped from a fire that burned the front porch of their East Mountain home Wednesday afternoon.
City firefighters responded shortly after 5 p.m. to the fire at 5 Scranton-Pocono Highway to find the porch on fire. The flames took out a front window but firefighters contained it to the front porch, Assistant Chief Jeff White said. It was put out in five minutes but firefighters remained on the scene for an hour, he said.
They were initially concerned the couple, a man and his wife, weren’t able to get out but but found them outside, White said. There were no injuries.
“Our primary concern was to get them out but they got out through the back door through the kitchen,” he said. “Everyone got out safely.”
He said the couple was watching television at the time when they noticed flames. They and passersby immediately called 911.
While the fire was contained to the porch, the first floor sustained smoke and water damage. White said the couple’s daughter and a caregiver were assisting them with overnight accommodations away from their home.
The city fire inspector is investigating the cause, but White said it appears to be accidental, originating on the porch in the area of porch furniture.
City police officers diverted traffic on the highway onto Pen Y Bryn Drive while firefighters worked on the scene.