A two-alarm blaze destroyed the home of Ethan Crist and his landscaping business, Cutting Edge, at 281 River Road just outside Jersey Shore on Sunday morning. Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire, but the smoke drifted east for several miles, with residents in the Newberry neighborhood even able to smell it.
Crist, who lived alone, was not at home when the fire broke out around 7:10 a.m. His family members rushed to the scene, fearing he may have been trapped inside. However, it was later discovered that Crist did not have his cellphone with him while he was out running errands.
Firefighters from Lycoming and Clinton Counties responded to the blaze, with Joseph Mitchell, deputy fire chief at Citizens Hose, directing operations. They initially attempted an interior attack but were forced out by the intense flames. Shortly after they exited the property, the second floor began to collapse.
The fire was eventually brought under control around 8:40 a.m. Firefighters used water from nearby hydrants to combat the blaze. A state police fire marshal will be assisting in the investigation to determine the origin and cause of the fire.
Despite the devastating loss of his home and business, Ethan Crist was grateful that no one was hurt in the fire. The community has rallied around him in support as he begins the process of rebuilding and recovering from this tragic event.