WEST MONTGOMERY COUNTY – A Magnolia family’s holiday turned into a nightmare when a three-alarm fire destroyed their home on Ascott Farms Road early Thursday morning.
Alfred Terra said the family had been preparing for their celebration Wednesday evening and had their turkey in the oven when he, his elderly parents, and his son went to bed.
Terra heard a noise, which turned out to be a smoke detector, around 2:30 a.m. He went downstairs and saw smoke, and initially thought it might be coming from the oven. Further inspection led him back upstairs where he realized there was a problem with the chimney.
The family tried in vain to put out the fire with a hose in the chimney prior to the arrival of the Magnolia Fire Department.
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MFD Capt. Rich Sanguedolce said firefighters arrived to heavy smoke coming from the upper part of the large home and banking down to the first story. By then, he said the smoke and fire prevented them from entering the second level of the home.
The fire ultimately went to three alarms, and Sanguedolce said water supply was a major problem.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
