FNN Article Update © Sunday, November 23, 2025. Image #1 Sent to FNN. Rest of the images provided by Lonny Frost © Nov. 21, 2025.
LAWRENCEVILLE, PA – (Update) A quick moving fire destroyed a family’s home early Friday morning, November 21, 2025, in Lawrenceville Borough.
Lawrenceville Fire Department, Tioga Volunteer Fire Department, and a Rapid Intervention Team from Elkland Volunteer Fire Department were first to be dispatched to the structure fire around 8:10 AM.
Early reports and calls to the Tioga County 911 Dispatch Center indicated that flames and heavy smoke were coming from a home located at 53 Mechanic Street. Responding firefighters could see the smoke from a distance away as they headed towards the Lawrenceville fire station to gather gear and fire units. The fire station was just up the street from where the fire was reported.
A second alarm was issued immediately by Lawrenceville Fire Chief as soon he saw the large amount of smoke in the air above the town. Fire units from Tioga County, PA, included Mansfield Hose Company with their Rescue unit and air trailer, units from Millerton Volunteer Fire Department including their ladder truck, Wellsboro Fire Department with their ladder truck, and later a Rehab unit from Blossburg Fire Department responded with needed supplies. Meanwhile, fire crews that were dispatched from Steuben County, NY, included Lindley-Presho Volunteer Fire Department, Painted Post Fire Department, Caton Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. as well as Gang Mills Fire Department. Also, Pennsylvania State Police and local police responded to the scene, as did a Wellsboro ambulance unit that was stationed in another area of the county.
The homeowners were rounding up their pets inside the home with help from neighbors and friends when Lawrenceville fire personnel arrived on the scene around 8:15 AM.
Three firefighters entered through the front door of the burning home, as they did an interior attack. Another crew went to the back of the home, where the exterior vinyl siding of the home was on fire. Lawrenceville firefighters knocked down the fire on siding and then made a push inside. The interior crew pulled down the ceiling as the fire had moved from the exterior of the home and into the wall and the ceiling space of the home.
According to Lawrenceville fire personnel, firefighters working inside the home came across a cat that was hiding under a couch. The cat was safely rescued and reunited with the family. According to a family member, two cats were rescued from the home and treated at a vets clinic. The family’s five dogs and two other cats were evacuated as fire personnel arrived on scene.
The fire was brought under control just after 9:00 AM.
Although the fire was reported out by 9:50 AM, many firefighters remained on scene checking for hot spots in the walls and up into the ceiling space of the 2016 three-bedroom modular home owned by Eddie and Sharon Wetzel.
Firefighters also attempted to remove anything salvageable from inside the home for the family members that lived there.
The Red Cross was notified to assist the family. The couple and their son are staying in a motel room with their dogs at their side. The family’s cats are staying with the couple’s daughter. The Wetzels will be moving to an Airbnb soon until they can work out a permanent home, FNN was told.
Some fire units slowly started returning back to their stations just after 10:00 AM, after battling the fire for nearly two hours.
After being on scene for over three hours, Lawrenceville firefighters were the last to head back to their stations by 11:21 AM.
The fire appears to have started along the back porch. According to a family member, this fire’s cause was due to an electrical fire caused by a receptacle (outlet) that was being used outside of the home. Fire officials have not released any updates. The Wetzel family did have insurance, FNN was told.
The Family Dollar store in Lawrenceville is taking donations for the Wetzel family. Donations may include the following – Clothing, non-perishable foods, pet food for cats and dogs, and household essentials. The Lawrenceville Fire Department will be picking up all donations from the Family Dollar Store.
Clothes are no longer needed for the family, FNN was requested to remove that need.
If you wish to help provide pet food for the family’s five dogs and four cats, they enjoy American Journey brand cat and dog food. Dog and cat toys, as well as, leashes for large and small dogs. The cats are in need of Fresh Start cat litter.
A second donation location is being organized by Jim and Marnae Fee, who will accept donations at their studio located at 954 River Road in Lindley, NY. If no one is there you can call 607 425-2552 to arrange a time to drop off items.
You can drop off needed items listed above at this second location, along with needed home goods, such as, towels, pillows, blankets, laundry supplies, kitchen utensils, cooking supplies (pots pans, dishes, and glasses)) Cash donations or gift cards will also be accepted at this location.
The family is even in need of art supplies for their autistic son. They are looking for sketch pads, pencils, colored pencils, and painting supplies. In addition, their son would enjoy Pokémon Yugioh cards
The Wetzel Family extends their heartfelt thanks to every fire department that assisted with extinguishing the fire. Also thanks went out to their neighbors and friends who helped gather up their pets, prior to fire crews arriving on scene.
Remember to support your local fire and ambulance Departments.
