Chief Discovers Fire in PA Station

Oct. 7, 2016
Wampum Assistant Fire Chief T.J. Edinger pulled a pumper from the station and began attacking the fire.

When the Wampum assistant chief stumbled upon a fire at his station Tuesday night, he jumped in to action to save some apparatus.

T.J. Edinger was on his way home from work Tuesday when he saw smoke coming from the fire station.

"I made the 911 call," Edinger told the New Castle News.

He ran into the fire station and pulled out a pumper that was parked next to the burning squad vehicle, a 2006 Ford Expedition. Once the pumper was outside, he used it to attack the fire.

Assistance was called from Chewton, Ellwood City and New Beaver fire companies to bring the fire under control.

Three vehicles, including a brush truck and rescue truck, were destroyed by the fire, which also caused extensive damage to the firehouse.

Two pumpers were saved and Wampum firefighters will continue to respond to emergencies. 

"We have just enough equipment left," Edinger told the newspaper. "We are not out of the game."

The cause of the fire has not been determined.

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