021126...R GIR-HOUSE FIRE 4...Girard...02-11-26...As Girard Fire Dept. prepares to clear the scene Don Durkin, one of the occupants of the W. Second St. house fire, far right, talks on the phone outside the burned out house....by R. Michael Semple

GIRARD — Two adults and an infant were able to escape a Wednesday morning house fire in Girard that left the structure destroyed.

Girard Fire Captain Jacob Barnhart said when crews arrived at the scene just after 10:45 a.m., the two-story house at 30 W. Second St. near Jones Court was fully engulfed in flames.

He said a large amount of dark smoke could be seen coming from the house and flames were shooting out many of the windows. Witnesses said thick black smoke could be seen, and smelled, from at least a half mile away.

Barnhart said a couple living in the house and their baby managed to escape, but they are not sure about the family’s cat. He said the man, Don Durkin, attempted to rescue the cat, but the smoke in the house was too thick for him to go back inside.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Barnhart said the house is a total loss.

The home is located a short distance from the Italian Fraternal Home, where the annual summer Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival takes place.

Barnhart said a neighboring house sustained exterior heat damage, but firefighters were able to keep the flames from spreading to the second house.

Assisting Girard at the fire were crews from McDonald, Liberty, Hubbard, Weathersfield and the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna.

Barnhart said a part-time firefighter slipped and fell while battling the fire and sustained a minor injury to her knee. She continued battling the blaze after being examined by a paramedic.

Fire crews were back at the scene Wednesday afternoon for smoke coming from the site, according to Barnhart.

Alexis Sigurani, owner of Sassy Savings, 600 N. State St., is collecting monetary donations at the store to help the family. She said an effort is being made to get the adults clothing, as well as baby formula, diapers and wipes for the 8-month old baby.

Sigurani said efforts also are being made to help the family find a new home or temporary place to stay.

Sigurani said she has spoken to the family and they are hopeful their cat, Kobe, may have gotten out of the house and is wandering in the neighborhood. She said she will post information on the cat on her website.

Barnhart said it is possible the cat may have gotten out of the house, but nothing has been confirmed.