1618 and 1614 W. Sixth St., (City of Hastings, Courtesy)
HASTINGS — Hastings Fire & Rescue responded to a house fire at 9:34 a.m., Monday, Aug. 19 at 1618 W. Sixth St. One of the three residents, an adult male, was home at the time of the fire but evacuated safely.
The fire was under control by 10 a.m., but the house at 1618 W. Sixth St., suffered an estimated $94,000 in damage for property and contents. Two vehicles in the driveway were also totaled.
The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental in nature, by improper disposal of smoking materials.
Hastings Fire & Rescue reminds the public to have working smoke alarms, and take care when disposing of smoking materials (cigarettes).
Ash trays should be non-combustible and cleaned out regularly.
The fire spread east to the house at 1614 W. Sixth St. However, due to a quick response from firefighters, damage at 1614 W. Sixth St was mostly limited to the exterior with some smoke damage inside.
This was a three-alarm fire. Hastings Rural Volunteer Fire Department, Juniata Volunteer Fire Department and Glenvil Volunteer Fire Departments all provided mutual aid.
Hastings Police Department, Hastings Utilities, the City of Hastings Street Department and Adams County Emergency Management provided assistance. The family living in 1618 W. Sixth St., has been displaced and is receiving aid from the American Red Cross.
The family at 1618 W. Sixth St. had five cats and one guinea pig in the house.
The guinea pig was rescued in its cage. Two of the cats were found deceased, one found safe and two unaccounted for.