Couple, pet rescued from house fire in Unity village of Marguerite

A couple and their pet dog were rescued by a neighbor when fire broke out in their Unity Township home Tuesday night.

A smoke alarm awakened the pair as they were sleeping on the first floor of their Dos Drive home, according to Tom Schultheis, township emergency management coordinator.

Blocked by the fire from escaping by rear or side doors, they made their way to the front porch — which has no steps.

A neighbor helped break a railing that encloses the porch so they could get away from the building, he said.

“There are no steps off the front porch,” he said. “It’s just like a balcony.”

Firefighters from Marguerite and multiple other companies, including Greensburg and Latrobe, were called to the scene shortly after 9:15 p.m. and remained there as midnight approached.

Schultheis said the fire appeared to have started in a rear area on the home’s first floor, where flames caused extensive damage. There also was heat, smoke and water damage on the second floor.

Schultheis said the Red Cross would reach out to help the displaced couple.

No one was injured, according to Marguerite fire Chief Scott Graham. He said a state police fire marshal would help investigate the cause of the blaze.