PORT ALLEGANY — Area emergency personnel responded to a working house fire early Thursday morning near Port Allegany, where they spent almost four hours fighting the fire in nearly freezing temperatures.

Fire Captain Alex Johnson of Star Hose Co. #1 in Port Allegany said crews were dispatched to 242 Cady Hollow Road in Liberty Township a little after 6:25 a.m. Thursday after receiving a call about a chimney fire.

“The information was that it was a chimney fire; however, when we arrived on scene, it had developed into a working house fire,” Johnson explained.

Along with Star Hose Co. #1, crews responded to the scene from the Austin Volunteer Fire Department, Emporium Volunteer Fire Department, Roulette Fire Department and Coudersport Fire Department. The Eldred Borough and Shinglehouse Volunteer fire departments were on stand-by.

Johnson noted that on-site crews encountered a great degree of difficulty in putting out the fire because of the low air temperatures that led to freezing water.

Units worked in the arctic temperatures for nearly four hours before returning to quarters. Star Hose Co. reported the fire out at 9:55 a.m. Thursday.

“It was a serious fire, and while we’re waiting on specific figures from the insurance company, it’s estimated to be a loss at $60,000 of damage, or more,” Johnson told The Era.

When temperatures get cold, people who burn with wood stoves should pay particular attention to maintenance and upkeep of flues and chimneys, Johnson advised. Wood stoves are apt to build up creosote in the chimney, which can cause a chimney fire and, possibly, a working house fire like this one.

“Have chimneys cleaned and inspected routinely,” he noted.

Regardless, Johnson said the greatest risk at any house fire, regardless of the outside temperature, is the fire itself.

“We’re always cautious of both,” he stated.

No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.