FNN Article © Saturday, May 23, 2026. Images of home prior to the reported fire.
MIDDLEBURY CENTER, PA – Shortly after 9:00 AM fire crews from Middlebury, Elkland, Chatham (Little Marsh), Tioga, Wellsboro, Westfield (Crary Hose), Lawrenceville, Osceola, an ambulance from Sabinsville and Middlebury, as well as, a rehab unit and tanker from Knoxville responded to a second alarm house fire in Middlebury Township on Saturday mooning, May 23, 2026.
Around 9:09 AM fire was reported in a back room of a two story family home located at 1934 Route 249. A second alarm was immediately requested before fire units even arrived on scene.
Image by Middlebury Twp Volunteer Fire Department © Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Early reports indicated that the back room was fully involved as fire personnel from Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Company were first to arrive on scene around 9:14 AM. At that time, fire personnel stated that the rear of the house was well involved. Other fire units soon started arriving on scene as well.
A port-a-pond was set up so firefighters would have quick access to water. Also a pond along Cummings Creek Road near Route 249 was used by Tioga fire crews as a water fill site for tankers to refill so firefighters had an adequate water supply for firefighters to work with while fighting the fire.
Images by Middlebury Twp Volunteer Fire Department © Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Route 249 was closed down just after 9:30 AM as fire and EMS units were still arriving on scene to battle the blaze. Route 249 was shut down by fire police at Keeneyville by Middlebury and at Little Marsh. by Crary Hose fire police.
The fire was brought under control around 10:08 AM and by 10:29 AM the fire was reported out.
A short time later fire units were slowly dismissed station by station from the scene as they returned back to their stations.
The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal was notified and two Middlebury Township Volunteer fire chiefs remained on scene awaiting the Fire Marshal’s arrival so they could investigate the cause of the fire.
Fire images by Image by Middlebury Twp Volunteer Fire Department © Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Route 249 was reopened around 11:15 AM, as additional fire units were cleared from the scene and sent back to their stations
There were no reported injuries and the family was able to exit the house safely. According to records the home is owned by the Fuller residence. This home is a rental unit, as the listed owners have a different residential address.
It is unknown if the 125-year-old home was a total loss. However, it did suffer heavy fire, water and smoke damage.
According to the Middlebury Township Volunteer Fire Department, crews remained on scene for nearly two hours. It was also noted by the department that the fire is still under investigation.
Image by Middlebury Twp Volunteer Fire Department © Saturday, May 23, 2026.
