Sept. 19--MAHANOY CITY -- The charred aerial truck of the Washington Hook and Ladder Company was pulled from its station Wednesday morning, just shy of a month after flames destroyed it and severely damaged the building.
Although investigators believe the Aug. 24 fire was accidental, caused by an electrical problem, the exact cause of the blaze still has not been determined.
The company bought the 1983 Simon Duplex aerial truck in 2011 for $249,500. It is now a total loss, company President Howell Davis said, as he watched the vehicle dragged from the building that was its home for two years.
Davis said the fate of the company's building is unknown.
While the vehicle remained in the building, Davis said the extent of damage to the floor could not be assessed.
"The floor of the building, that will tell the tale," he said.
Engineers from ESIP, the company that insures the building and its contents, will examine not only the floor but the entire structure to see if it can be repaired.
"The engineers will take a look at the building and then go from there," Anthony Blackwell, local ESIP agent, said.
Crews from RJ Sells Towing and Recovery, Lebanon, worked more than two hours to drag the truck from the building. The entire cab section was destroyed by fire and the front tires were melted.
Jim Jones, a certified arson and explosives expert with Jaguar Appraisals and Determinations, East Norriton, is assisting in the investigation on behalf of EMC Insurance.
Mahanoy City borough contracts with EMC Insurance to provide coverage to all borough vehicles, including fire apparatus.
Jones said investigators know the fire started on the passenger's side of the truck, in the back of the crew cab, involving the truck's electrical system.
"We're not exactly sure what the cause is yet," he said, noting that until the truck was removed from the building and lifted into the air by the tow truck it was impossible to get a good look at the area where the fire originated.
Jones said the truck will be towed to CoPart storage in Grantville where it will be stored under seal while the investigation continues.
"We are sure the fire was accidental, but we'd like to see if we can pinpoint exactly where and how it started," he said.
Burns said no foul play is suspected.
Meanwhile, Davis and company fire Chief Michael Matunis said that, although the ladder truck is destroyed, members still answer calls and serve the community.
Davis said members have been responding to calls with the other four fire companies in the borough and using gear that was donated by those companies following the fire.
"All of our responding members are geared up," Davis said.
The company also plans to utilize an aerial truck owned by Scott Township, near Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, while it awaits the decision on a replacement for the destroyed vehicle by the insurance carrier.
Davis said the loaner truck will be a 1985 Simon ladder truck and will be housed at the Good American Fire station on East Mahanoy Avenue while fate of the Washington Hook and Ladder building is decided.
"At this point all we can do is wait," Davis said. "We can't do anything until we see what (the insurance company is) going to do."
The blaze was discovered only hours before firefighters from Schuylkill and surrounding counties were to converge on the borough for the annual Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighter's Convention held in conjunction with anniversary celebration of Mahanoy City.
About 4:40 a.m., a caller reported smoke at the first block of East Mahanoy Avenue and borough police Lt. John Kaczmarczyk arrived to investigate.
Kaczmarczyk, a longtime member of the Washington Hook and Ladder Company, saw heavy flames inside the engine room of the fire company and immediately upgraded the smoke investigation to a working structure fire.
The intense flames prevented Kaczmarczyk from entering the building to get the aerial truck out.
Prior to the truck being removed, members of the Good American Fire Company presented the Washington Hook and Ladder Company with a check for $1,400, the proceeds from a benefit pork and sauerkraut dinner they held Sunday.
Shawn Flaim, captain of the Good American, said the event was the least company members could do to help their fellow firefighters get back on their feet.
Copyright 2013 - Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.
