An Ephrata Township mobile home was saved from destruction in a fire Monday after an aquarium inside the home broke and extinguishing the blaze, according to a Lincoln Fire Company official.
Crews responded just after 3 p.m. to 963 Rettew Mill Road, north of Akron, for a report of a fire. There was smoke inside, and three residents and two cats were safe outside when firefighters arrived.
The fire had begun to burn up a wall of the home, which then caused an aquarium to burst, extinguishing the fire, according to Lincoln Fire Company spokesman Randy Gockley. The home, he said, likely would have been a total loss if not for the water from the tank.
Gockley did not know how many fish were in the tank or if any survived.
The family is staying with relatives while the home is repaired. The company ruled the fire an accident.
Gockley said a power strip could have been the cause of the fire, which serves as a good reminder to not overload power strips and have working smoke detectors.
