Science Experiment Gone Bad, House Burns

On April 13, 1999 at 2:27 p.m. firefighters were dispatched to 139 Wildwood Lane, North Newton Township for a house fire. When firefighters arrived they found a mobile home heavily involved in fire. The blaze apparently began when the grandson was doing a science experiment that went wrong. Fanned by strong winds the blaze spread quickly. The fire was brought under control in 20 minutes. Firefighters from Newville, Upper Frankford, Penn Twp., West Pennsboro, Empire of Carlisle and the Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm. At 3:25 p.m. the Vigilant Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies assisted units from eight other companies on a mountain fire on the Cold Springs Road, Dickinson Twp. About 50 acres of state forest land was burned in the fire. At 4:07 p.m. the Cumberland Valley Hose Company assisted units from four other companies on a chimney fire on Mowhawk Road, just off Route 944 in Upper Frankford Twp.