Fire destroys Frazer home; family was out at the time

On a normal Thursday afternoon, Shari Robb and her daughter, Delainey, would have been in their Frazer home.

Delainey, who is home-schooled, would have been doing schoolwork; Shari tending to other matters.

But, as warm weather approached, 14-year-old Delainey thought Thursday would be a good day to look for new summer jeans.

That shopping trip may have kept the mother and daughter safe, as their two-story, Days Run Road home went up in flames while the pair was out.

“I’m thanking the Lord we weren’t home,” Shari Robb said standing in front of the still smoking house she and her husband, Sam, who was at work during the fire, have owned for 14 years. “God has a plan. “

“He’s in control,” she said. “I’m excited to see what the next step in the plan is.”

According to Gail Callender, assistant chief at Frazer Volunteer Fire Department No. 1, the two-story was a total loss.

“It appears the fire started on the second floor,” Callender said. “The family was out. I’d say they’re lucky because of how fast the fire spread.”

Callender said he didn’t know what caused the fire.

“We’re waiting for the (Allegheny County) Fire Marshal to determine that,” he said.

Callender said that within minutes of crews responding to the house, which sits on 57 sprawling acres, the fire had moved from upstairs to downstairs.

“There aren’t any trees on one side of the house,” Callender said. “The wind was really moving the fire (when it hit on that side).”

Callender said about 10 fire companies responded to the three-alarm fire.

The first call to report the fire came in around 1:45 p.m. Callender said he didn’t know who saw the fire and called it in.

No one was injured, he said.

“The toughest part was laying all this extended hose,” he said, pointing to the long line of fire hose that ran up the steep driveway. “Obviously, it was hot in the sun, but it wasn’t too bad.”

As for the Robbs, Shari said the house was insured. The family’s two dogs were accounted for, she said.

Shari Robb said her family of four would more than likely stay with family or friends.

“We’re just glad no one got hurt,” she said. “That’s important.”

R.A. Monti is a freelance writer for Trib Total Media.