FNN Article Written © Friday, June 12, 2026. Article update on June 16, 2026.
WELLSBORO, PA – (Update) – Numerous calls by neighbors about a house fire were received by the Tioga County 911 Dispatch Center early Friday morning, June 12, 2026.
Around 2:06 AM, fire crews from Wellsboro, Middlebury and a RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) out of Westfield were first to dispatched to the area of 1940 block of Balsam Road and later that was changed 1970 block of Balsam Road where neighbors reported hearing an explosion and seeing flames coming from a nearby home. Some neighbors claimed they heard more than one explosion, however, that information was not confirmed by officials.
A second alarm was issued around 2:10 AM and fire units from Blossburg and Mansfield fire units along with an ambulance from Mansfield, as well as Morris were next to be dispatched. Later additional units from Galeton and Elkland were requested to assist.
Wellsboro fire personnel arrived on scene where a long driveway lead up to a single family home that was fully involved. At 2:18 AM, three additional tankers were requested. Tankers from Blossburg Fire Department, Liberty Volunteer Fire Company and Germania Fire Department were requested to respond to the scene.
The home that was destroyed was located up this long driveway. Thanks to the individual who provided an update on the location. (Click on images to enlarge to view better).
At the time it was unknown whether anyone was home, but neighbors believed the homeowner was possibly away on vacation. However, the property owner would show up at the scene around 3:50 AM, as fire crews continued working.
The fire was finally brought under control around 4:39 AM, as some fire units were heading back to their stations.
At 4:56 AM UGI was requested by Wellsboro Command as a gas meter at the scene was damaged.
The Fire Marshal was notified about the fire. The fire was extinguished shortly after 5:00 AM.
UGI representative arrived to fire scene to handle the damaged gas meter around 5:34 AM.
Most fire units were cleared to return to their stations and it is unknown when the last Wellsboro crews were cleared from the scene.
The cause of the fire is was not released at this time and due to the extent of the damage, a cause may not be possible to determine. However, if FNN receives any updates on this fire it will be added to this article at that time. Some information has been updated thanks to kind neighbors who provided a few updates on the evening of Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Great job by all those who assisted at the scene. Firefighters could only extinguish the fire as the home was fully involved and said to be collapsing when first crews arrived on scene.
Remember to support your local fire and ambulance departments throughout 2026.
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FNN has not received any information on needs for the family or any fundraiser announcements at this time.
