Skippack Township house fire displaces family

A family could have to wait at least a month before returning to live in their Daniel Drive home that suffered fire and smoke damage Wednesday night, according to Skippack Fire Chief Haydn Marriott IV.

"Tonight they (the family) are going to stay local with some friends, and (then) they're going to look for something else," Marriott said.

The five-member family and their pets safely exited the residence, and no responders were injured, either.

The blaze's origin is currently unknown, Marriott said. The fire marshal with Pennsylvania State Police will conduct an investigation Thursday morning.

According to reports, the family smelled smoke in their home and began to look for the source. When they opened the attic entrance, they saw heavy smoke and then called the fire department.

"(There was) moderate to heavy fire in the attic, with substantial damage to the attic," Marriott said. Firefighters cut into the house's roof, upper side and--reportedly--a bedroom ceiling as they tried to get the fire under control. Heavy smoke, but no flames, could be seen from the street.

Eastern Diversified Services arrived on the scene as the fire companies were clearing out.

, , , Lower Providence fire companies and Skippack EMS responded to the scene. was on standby in Perkiomen Township, Marriott said.