Officials are trying to determine the cause of a fire to a Commerce Street home Wednesday afternoon in which two small animals perished.
Fire crews were called around 2:15 p.m. to 533 Commerce St. for a fire that had taken place on the top floor of the two-story home. About nine firefighters from Wellsville, utilizing two engines and a ladder truck, and four with the Highlandtown Volunteer Fire Department, also providing an engine, worked for a little less than two hours to put out the flames.
According to Wellsville Fire Chief Barry Podwel, flames were seen coming from the upstairs bathroom along with heavy smoke coming from all four sides of the home. Windows to the upstairs were broken out, and two vents were also made on the roof to help with air circulation.
Podwel said crews were able to contain the fire to the bathroom and attic above, which suffered the most damage, while heavy smoke and heat damage were reported to the rest of the upstairs level.