“We got the call a little after 7 (a.m.),” South Shore Fire Department Chief Kenny Taylor said, as he stood next to the multi-level brick structure. “We could see it from the fire house. Before we left the fire house, we called for Washington Township and Maloneton fire departments to help us. When we got here it (fire) was at the back end of the farm store building. And it had set the Health Department building on fire. We were able to contain it. It was out with very little damage.”
Taylor described what firefighters witnessed when they arrived on the scene.
“We had several rounds of explosions, and we had to re-position, because we didn’t know where the explosions were from. In a farm store it’s hard to say,” Taylor said. “Then, later we had to call Lloyd (Fire Department) and Firebrick (Fire Department) to help us. So there’s four fire departments here besides us.”
Taylor said one of the farm store workers was in the building when it started.
“One of the workers was in there. And he turned the computer on and was just sitting there,” Taylor said. “He said he didn’t see anything, but somebody went by blowing their horn. When he walked outside he was able to see it.”
Taylor said the man escaped the blaze.
“We have no idea what happened to cause the fire,” Taylor said.
It was at that moment the north wall of the brick structure came falling down and out, sending Taylor and this reporter running from the scene.
Taylor indicated the fire would be investigated.
Frank Lewis may be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232, or flewis@heartlandpublications.com.
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