An accidental fire burned down a home for boys in Catawissa on April 28. Fortunately, the two adults and eight boys who were inside the home when the fire broke out were not hurt, said Greg Shuster, assistant fire chief for the Cedar Hill Fire Protection District.
At 2:26 p.m., Cedar Hill Fire got a call about the fire at Grace Boys Ranch, 10421 Apke Lane, and first on the scene was Battalion Chief Marvin Shaffrey, who arrived at 2:36 p.m., Fire Chief Mick Fischer said.
“A man who lived at the home made the call to 911 and said the house was on fire. The house was full of smoke but they couldn’t see flames. It looked like it was coming from the basement,” Fischer said.
When firefighters arrived, all 10 occupants of the home were outside and safe. In addition, the firefighters found smoke and fire coming from the walkout basement and heavy smoke on the first floor of the single-family home, Fischer said.
The residence was modular home set on a foundation, Shuster said.
Firefighters fought the fire using hoses, and it was brought under control at 3:07 p.m. Firefighters remained to make sure the fire was completely out and then salvaged items from the home. They were on the scene until 4:09 p.m., Fischer said.
The Red Cross was notified to help the occupants with emergency shelter, food and clothing, he said.
Pastor Richard Rix, who runs Grace Boys Ranch, said the facility is used to treat boys who have attachment disorders. According to the Mayo Clinic, an attachment disorder is a serious but rare condition in which “an infant or young child doesn't establish healthy attachments with parents or caregivers.”
He said the boys home is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian organization.
“This was a big loss for us,” Rix said.
He said that after the fire, some of the boys went home to their parents, and some went to stay at a hotel until a rental house could be found. Their lodging is covered by insurance, Rix said.
He said both the building and its contents were insured, and the home will be rebuilt.
“Then we will be back in business,” Rix said.
According to Grace Boys Ranch’s website, the organization is a residential school that helps boys 6-16 who have behavior problems.
According to real estate descriptions, the property includes 7 acres.
The Big River Ambulance District and the Pacific and High Ridge fire protection districts assisted with the call.