EAGLES MERE – A two-alarm fire ripped through two storage sheds last Wednesday afternoon on Route 42, about 4 miles south of here, according to Muncy Valley Fire Chief Aaron Ledger.

“I could see a big column of smoke” about a mile south of the scene, the chief said.

Two sheds that were next to one another already were engulfed in flames when he arrived at 13855 Route 42 about 5:15 p.m.

With the two buildings already a total loss, volunteer firefighters concentrated their efforts in preventing the flames from reaching the property owner’s home, less than 20 feet away, Ledger said.

Although intense radiant heat scorched part of the siding of the house, firefighters were successful in stopping the blaze from causing serious damage to the home, Ledger said. The property owner, whose name was not released, did have fire insurance on the structures.

Firefighters from Muncy Valley and Eagles Mere were dispatched on the initial alarm, but a second alarm was ordered minutes later, bringing additional manpower and equipment from Laporte, Dushore, Forksville and Picture Rocks.

Tankers shuttled water to the scene from Outlet Pond in Eagles Mere. While the bulk of the fire was knocked down within an hour, firefighters had to “do extensive overhaul,” dousing hot spots, Ledger said.

There were no reports of injuries, and the cause of the fire will go undetermined, he added.