Villanova home damaged by attic fire

Firefighters were called to a two alarm attic fire in the 300 block of Hilldale Road off of Spring Mill Road in Villanova about 8 p.m. Friday evening, Nov. 15.

Radnor Fire Marshall Don Wood said nobody was injured in the blaze which started in the attic and caused extensive damage to the one-and-one-half story home.   The  second-floor portion was seriously damaged by fire which caused holes in the roof and resulted smoke damage throughout, said the fire marshall.

“The fire started above a light fixture in the shower stall,” said Fire Marshal Wood. “The fixture and insulation had been there many years the insulation did not dissipate the heat (of the bulb) and overheating and baking of the wood can occured over a long time. This just happened to be when it ignited.”

Wood said recessed ceilings fixtures usually require a 60-watt bulb maximum. The bulb in the fixture at the time of the fire was 100 watts. He said there had been a number of fires recently which were started by recessed ceiling lights. He recommended homeowners not use stronger bulbs than are called for in light fixtures and be cautious not to allow insulation to cover the fixtures in the ceiling.

Bryn Mawr, Radnor and Berwyn were among the area fire companies who fought the fire.

Firefighters were called to a two alarm attic fire in the 300 block of Hilldale Road off of Spring Mill Road in Villanova about 8 p.m. Friday evening, Nov. 15.

Radnor Fire Marshall Don Wood said nobody was injured in the blaze which started in the attic and caused extensive damage to the one-and-one-half story home.   The  second-floor portion was seriously damaged by fire which caused holes in the roof and resulted smoke damage throughout, said the fire marshall.

“The fire started above a light fixture in the shower stall,” said Fire Marshal Wood. “The fixture and insulation had been there many years the insulation did not dissipate the heat (of the bulb) and overheating and baking of the wood can occured over a long time. This just happened to be when it ignited.”

Wood said recessed ceilings fixtures usually require a 60-watt bulb maximum. The bulb in the fixture at the time of the fire was 100 watts. He said there had been a number of fires recently which were started by recessed ceiling lights. He recommended homeowners not use stronger bulbs than are called for in light fixtures and be cautious not to allow insulation to cover the fixtures in the ceiling.

Bryn Mawr, Radnor and Berwyn were among the area fire companies who fought the fire.