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Fire destroys S. Philipsburg garage
Thursday, February 14, 2013
By Terry Whetstone Staff Writer
SOUTH PHILIPSBURG - A fire destroyed a garage at 707 Walnut St., near G Street and Sleepy Hollow Road, in South Philipsburg today at 3:45 a.m. Firefighters responded on slick secondary roads.
The garage, owned by John Eyerly, was fully engulfed in flames when Jeff "Skinner" Harris, Philipsburg department chief, arrived on scene. He said flames were through the roof.
Firefighters could see the glow in the sky from Chester Hill as they were responding.
One person said someone in the house heard a loud popping noise, but didn't think anything about it. A short time later a resident was getting ready for work and saw the garage was on fire.
Firefighters from seven companies responded to the blaze.
Harris is guessing damage is approximately $250,000-$300,000, at least.
The garage housed two side-by-side all-terrain vehicles, three four-wheeled ATVs, two John Deere tractors and numerous tools. A skid-steer parked in front of the garage was also destroyed.
One person said there was a large-screen television and numerous couches and chairs in an area of the garage that were used as "a hangout."
The state police fire marshal was contacted and was on scene at press time trying to determine a cause.
Firefighters had to deal with slick roads leading to the scene. Rush Township was notified and road crews responded to the scene to treat the streets as well as the area where the fire apparatus was.
The garage and its contents are a total loss. There were no reported injuries.
Firefighters from Hope and Reliance fire companies of Philipsburg, Mountain Top Fire Co. of Sandy Ridge, Chester Hill Hose Co., Morris Township Fire Co., Columbia Fire Co. of Osceola Mills and Houtzdale Fire Co. were on scene for about two hours and 45 minutes.
Moshannon Valley Emergency Medical Services was also on scene.
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