High winds Tuesday afternoon snapped three utility poles along Route 819 and caused an attic fire from the downed power lines, an East Huntingdon fire official said.
The fire damaged a house adjacent to Smillie’s Family Restaurant, said Chris Brinker, an assistant fire chief for East Huntingdon.
Brinker said he was by a parking lot at Planet Bowling Center on Route 819 when he heard the utility pole snap and moved his vehicle.
As he drove by the house, he said he saw the electric lines arcing and fire starting on the attic. He said he left his vehicle and pounded on the front door of the house to alert the residents.
Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire, which caused damage to a 10-foot area of the roof, he said.
A heating and ventilation unit at the bowling alley caught fire as well, Brinker said.
At the same time, a heating and ventilation unit at Planet Fitness at the Crossroads Plaza area caught fire, creating smoke in the exercise area, said James King, an assistant fire chief for East Huntingdon.
A fan truck from the Westmoreland City fire department blew fresh air into the building.
