×

Fire destroys truck-repair business near Linden

LINDEN — Three days before Christmas, Mike Miller’s large truck-repair business on Pine Run Road in Woodward Township, Lycoming County went up in flames at about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

“Everything is a total loss,” said Township Fire Chief Richard Whalen, who estimated that the damage to Pine Run Truck Repair could be anywhere between $1.5 million and $2 million or higher.

“Flames were through the roof, and part of the roof was already collapsing when firefighters arrived,” said Whalen, noting that as he was en route, he could see an orange glow in the sky about a mile away.

Hearing on his radio a report from a firefighter at the scene concerning the volume of fire engulfing the building, Whalen ordered a second alarm before he reached the scene. A third alarm was struck about 20 minutes later.

There were three tractor-trailer trucks and a boat inside the building, Whalen said, adding that Miller lost all of that plus his tools, truck parts and other equipment.

At least a dozen volunteer fire companies from Lycoming County and another five from Clinton County battled the intense flames for nearly 90 minutes before crews were able to get a handle on it, Whalen said. Still, dousing all the hotspots and getting the fire extinguished took at least three to four hours.

Besides the main section of the very large building, there were several other additions that also were wiped out by the fire, Whalen said.

So much water was needed to put out the blaze that it drained much of Jersey Shore Water Authority’s filtration plant, just off of Route 973 in Anthony Township, Whalen said, adding that the situation put a real strain on water pressure for customers in Jersey Shore. For a period, even Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital supposedly lost water pressure.

Volunteer fire police, along with employees from the state Department of Transportation, detoured motorists away from the fire. Pine Run Road remained closed for much of the morning.

Cpl. Nichols Loffredo, a state police fire marshal, responded to the scene, but the cause of fire remained a mystery as of Wednesday night.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $3.69/week.

Subscribe Today