COATESVILLE, Pa.-- One firefighter was injured and two others suffered from heat exhaustion Sunday while trying to extinguish flames at one of the city's fire stations.
The fire started on the third floor of West End Fire Company in the 100 block of Strode Avenue around 10:30 a.m. and took just under an hour to put out.
One firefighter suffered an injury when a ceiling light fell and hit him, said Assistant Fire Chief Dan Paulukinas. He was taken to Lancaster General Hospital for evaluation, Paulukinas said. Their names were not released, but a woman answering the telephone at the Washington Hose Fire Company said they were "doing fine."
The cause of the fire was "possibly electrical" but had not been officially determined, Paulukinas said. A fire marshal was conducting an investigation Sunday afternoon.
"I thought it was kind of ironic," said a witness to the blaze, Randy Litwin, who lives behind the fire station on Ridge Avenue. "I mean, the fire station caught on fire."
The two-alarm fire severely damaged the roof, but was contained to the third floor, where the company's banquet hall and a storage area are located. Two of the three apartments in the building that are currently occupied also experienced water damage.
"They did a pretty good job of keeping it from spreading," said West End Capt. Robert Tracey, who was on the scene.
Litwin, a self-employed pet services worker who has lived behind the firehouse for two years, said he was getting ready for work Sunday morning when he heard calls on his emergency radio and looked out his window.
"I could see smoke behind the trees, and smoke and flame coming from the roof. I saw the roof cave in," he said.
"It was really hot. It didn't so much fall in as it melted in into a 'W' shape."
According to John Weer, president of the fire company, the firehouse likely experienced $500,000 in damage. The third floor will need to be remodeled and the building will need a new roof, Tracey said.
"It's pretty much shot. It's condemned for now," said Tracey.
Approximately 100 firefighters were on the scene from 11 area fire companies. Firefighters moved all of the equipment out of the building when they arrived at the scene.
For now, West End firefighters will most likely work out of the city's other fire station at Washington Hose Fire Company until the building is safe to operate from, officials said. A structural engineer will first need to determine if the building is safe, Weer said.
While some firefighters were surprised to hear that the firehouse was on fire, they did also acknowledge that it is something that's not unheard of.
"A fire can happen anywhere," said Paulukinas.
Bob Bacana, one of the first firefighters on the scene, admitted he was shocked when he learned it was the West End firehouse on fire.
"You don't expect to see that," Bacana said.
Some nearby were also surprised to see the flames.
"I was very surprised. That's why I looked out the window a second time, because I couldn't believe it. I never expected a firehouse to be on fire," said Nick Lymberis, part owner of the Little Chef, a neighboring restaurant.
Lymberis and his restaurant lost electricity and a day's worth of business due to the fire. While their restaurant was closed for business, they still offered water and food to firefighters and emergency crews on the scene.
Micki Ream, who lives across the street from the firehouse, saw the smoke and flames.
"I was like, 'oh no!'" said Ream, who has lived in Coatesville for 10 years. Ream spoke highly of the firefighters' work.
"They're really good. They're really quick," she said, still observing the scene three hours later.
Fire companies responding to the blaze included the two city companies and Westwood, Downingtown, Parkesburg, Sadsburyville, Modena, Thorndale, East Brandywine, Oxford, Longwood and Cocranville. Martin's Corner Ambulance Company and Medic 93 also responded.
Stations on standby included Atglen, Lionville and Wagontown fire companies.
To contact staff writer Jennifer Miller, send an e-mail to [email protected].
Daily Local News 2006.
Republished with permission of the Daily Local News.
