Predawn fire guts Montco lawmaker's home

Wind-driven flames ripped through the Montgomery County home of State Sen. Stewart Greenleaf about 3:15 a.m. yesterday, driving the lawmaker and his family into the icy weather.

Upper Moreland Township Fire Marshal Robert Drennen said Greenleaf, his wife, their son, and a friend raced from the home after they were awakened by smoke detectors and saw flames on the first floor of the two-story house.

"With this wind, between the freezing weather, the house was consumed in a very short period of time," said Drennen, who estimated that 150 volunteer firefighters responded to the blaze.

Drennen said Greenleaf and the others were whisked into police cars, as the flames gutted the home in the 1500 block of Terwood Road.

In addition to the house blaze, rescuers had to fight smaller fires in nearby vacant lots.

"Some of the embers started two field fires, near other occupied homes," Drennen said. "Firefighters had their hands full."

No one was injured in the blaze, though one firefighter suffered a pulled muscle.

Drennen said it was too early to determine the cause of the fire, which was under control about 5 a.m.

In a statement, Greenleaf applauded the work of the rescuers.

"I would like to thank all of the fire companies and volunteers who responded immediately and fought the fire under extreme conditions. While we have lost all of our possessions, we are thankful for our lives," he said.

"I ask that you keep my family in your thoughts and prayers as we go through this difficult time."

Greenleaf, a Republican, has represented the 12th Senatorial District in the Pennsylvania Senate since 1978.