An unattended kerosene heater is blamed for a fire which destroyed a home Monday night on the Gardeau Road in Keating Township, Potter County. Austin Fire Chief Darren VanWhy said the home, owned by Jim Babcock, was fully involved when volunteers responded to the alarm at about 7:50. They were hampered by a narrow roadway and lack of water, but VanWhy said volunteers had no chance to save the home or its contents. VanWhy said the owner's son had been staying at the house while his father was spending the winter downstate. The son confirmed that he had left the kerosene heater running when he left the home for a trip to St. Marys. Volunteers from Coudersport, Emporium, Port Allegany and Shinglehouse assisted at the scene. There were no injuries. Investigators returned to the scene on Tuesday to further assess the cause and confirmed that the blaze had started in the vicinity of the portable heating device.

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