PORT ALLEGANY — Two people were displaced after their mobile home was destroyed Monday morning in a fire that did not cause any injuries.

According to a report from Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Kathleen Watters, a 12-foot by 60-foot mobile home located at 184 Knapp Road in Annin Township was destroyed by a fire that originated in the kitchen of the residence of 84-year-old Maxine Knapp and 45-year-old Gordon Eschrich — causing $15,000 in damage.

The report said Deputy Chief Mike Johnson of Star Hose Company #1 in Port Allegany requested assistance from a state police marshal in determining the origin and cause of the fire.

Dispatched just a few minutes after 9 a.m., Captain Andrew Johnson took command at the scene. He told The Era the fire was able to be controlled after about 30 minutes.

“We remained on-scene conducting overhaul for another 3 hours, then assisted the state police fire marshal for another two hours after that,” the captain explained. “The fire was put out with tank water by the engine crew from our fire department.”

Johnson added that in addition to Start Hose Company #1, crews from volunteer fire departments in Roulette, Coudersport and Eldred Township as well as crews from Smethport Fire Department and Eldred Borough Fire Department were on the scene — with the total response amounting to about 35 firefighters.

“Our efforts were made more difficult by the lack of volunteers,” Johnson said, explaining the difficulty of battling disasters with a small crew. “Like all other fire departments in the area, we struggle with manpower issues — especially during the day, when many of the volunteers we do have are at work.”

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.