Chimney buildup caused a Penn Twp. home to catch fire early Sunday morning.
The Penn Twp. Fire Department arrived to a home near Vistula and Crescent to find heavy fire and smoke coming from the front of the house and the chimney.
Residents had been evacuated from the house by the St. Joseph County Police Department before firefighters arrived.
The fire department said it initiated a “quick hit” to stop the fire coming from the front of the home, and then moved inside the tackle the blaze. Within 20 minutes the fire was brought under control but the damage done to the house was fairly extensive.
Officials estimate $50,000 worth of structural damage, and $25,000 of content damage was incurred during the fire.
Firefighters say the fire appeared to have been started due to a creosote buildup in the fireplace.
