Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Reminds Customers and Contractors to "Call Before You Dig" This Spring. 

Warmer temperatures and the arrival of spring typically signal the beginning of outdoor projects – everything from installing a mailbox or building a deck to planting a tree or digging in the garden. With April marking the fifth annual National Safe Digging Month, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania reminds homeowners and contractors that before they pick up a shovel, they need to pick up the telephone and call 811.

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Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour on Sunday morning at 2:00 AM. While you are doing this, why not check the batteries on your smoke alarms and CO detectors as well? It may just end up saving your life!

The Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company, Cranberry EMS (Station 51), and Cranberry Police Department, were dispatch at 01:53 for reports of a structure fire on Fox Run road.  Cranberry Police, arriving first on scene, confirmed that there were heavy smoke and flames coming from the structure as well as the entrapment of a resident in the home.

Chief 21 immediately called for a second alarm while en route, bringing Marshall Township Station 185, Big Knob Station 26, and Adams Area Fire District Station 42 for RIT.  Chief 21 arrived on scene, established command, while Chief 21-2 took over operations.  Engine 21-3 arrived first on scene and crews immediately began a search of the structure. Heavy fire conditions forced the crews back out of the structure, and Engine 21-3 began an exterior attack, with assistance from T-21 for water and manpower. Other arriving units and companies provided additional manpower. Despite the best efforts of all involved, the resident was unable to get out of the structure and perished in the fire.

The fire was quickly knocked down, with crews remaining on scene until 05:51, and all units were back in service at 07:24.

For more information please visit Cranberry Patch, WTAE, WPXI, and KDKA.

The volunteers of Station 21 were alerted for a house with smoke coming from the basement at 7340 Franklin Road at 4:30 this morning.  Station 21 firefighters were assisted by Adams Area Station 42, Marshall Station 185, Zelienople Station 22, and Big Knob Station 26, along with Cranberry EMS Station 51.

Upon arrival it was discovered that the basement was fully involved, and crews were able to quickly knock down the flames, and contain the fire damage to the basement.  There were no injuries, and all firefighters went home safely.

Fore more on this story, and photos of the scene please visit Cranberry Patch.

This evening at the Cranberry Board of Supervisor's meeting, three new fire police officers were sworn into service.  Please join us in welcoming George Banovski, Andrew Metarko, and Joe Minkel as new Fire Police officers in Cranberry Township.