A fire located at the Hardees Restaurant of Shippensburg, Pa. on Molly Pitcher Highway, was reported by an off duty Chambersburg Police officer on his way home from work. The officer using his portable radio contacted the Franklin County 911 Center advising them of the location of the fire, advising that there was heavy smoke showing.
The dispatch was made at 0445 hrs sending first due department West End Fire & Rescue to the scene along with many other mutual aid departments.
Upon arrival of the first unit from West End and Fire Chief Randy O'Donnell also at 0445 hrs, units confirmed heavy smoke coming from the building with very poor visibility on the roadway. The units knew where the hydrant was in front of the building, but couldn't locate due to the heavy smoke.
Firefighters pulled various handlines to attack the fire, while additional units laid a supply line to an additional hydrant located at W. King Street and Stewart Place, using 1400 feet of hose from the fire to the hydrant.
The fire had so much intense heat inside, the upper portion above the false ceiling was burning. Fire Chief Randy O'Donnell made the decision to have the building evacuated because of the danger of a collapse.
At 0505 hrs air horns began to sound on the fire scene to let the firefighters know to get out of the building, along with an alert tone from the Franklin County 911 center.
The fire then became a defensive attack.
The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshall was requested to come to the scene by Chief Randy O'Donnell as soon as possible.
Two ladder trucks, one positioned on each side of the building, went into operation, using water from the end of their ladders to control the fire.
Fire Chief O'Donnell declared the fire under control at 0553 hrs.
The assistant State Police Fire Marshall arrived on the scene at 0554 hrs to determine the cause of the fire. The fire is still under investigation at this time.
The building was insured, the estimated damage is $500,000 or higher according to the Assistant Fire Marshall.
It began to break daylight, as employees of the Hardees Resturant started to arrive, finding out about the fire, watching from a nearby parking lot.
There were 50-75 firefighters on the scene, no reports of any injuries. The building was completely destoyed.
A State Police detective arrived on the scene, taping off an area all around the building, as one unit from West End Fire & Rescue remained on the scene dousing some hot spots. Most of the units cleared the scene at about 0900 hrs.
Units assisting on the scene were Cumberland Valley Hose, Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley EMS all of Shippensburg, Pleasant Hall, South Newton Twp., Franklin Fire Company of Chambersburg, and Fayetteville.
