Though a beauty salon was extensively damaged during a fire at
6:38 a.m. Friday at 45 Melvin Ave., an attached home was saved when
the Bradford City Fire Department responded to the fire.

City firefighter Lt. Chris Angell said the department received a
911 alarm from the McKean County Dispatch for a structure fire.
Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke and flames showing
from Cindy’s Beauty Salon and the connected home, owned by Cindy
Wilber and occupied by Wilber, husband Michael Wilber and their
three children.

Angell said the occupants were all home at the time, but were
able to get out safely. No one else was hurt during the fire.

Firefighters were troubled by a service entrance cable that had
burnt through in the fire, causing arcing in electric lines and
downed wires. Reports indicate the arcing electrified a metal door
in the building, and Penelec responded to the scene to turn off the
electricity.

The beauty salon had extensive damage, but firefighters knocked
down the fire before it reached the house, which sustained only
light smoke damage.

“It never got into the house,” Angell said. “We’re pretty happy
with that.”

Kane-based state police Fire Marshal Martin Henneman
investigated at the scene, and a report on his findings and the
cause of the fire should be released in the near future.

Bradford City Fire Department responded with the chief and 13
firefighters, Tower 1, Engine 1, both ambulances and code vehicles.
The Bradford Township and Derrick City volunteer fire departments
were also on stand-by at the Bradford City station.

Firefighters were on scene for about three hours.