Robinson Township firefighters pushed a fire apparatus into their new station Sunday. Almost a year ago, the department lost its station to a fire.
An electrical fire sparked the June 21, 2015 blaze destroyed the Robinson Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 firehouse in Groveton. The fire also destroyed two fire apparatus and four fire boats.
“It’s absolutely gorgeous, we were able to clean what we needed to clean while the fire hall was shut down and renovate and rebuild so we’re ready,” Groveton Ladies Auxiliary member Debbie Dankert told local television station KDKA.
Firefighters, including Steve Campbell, tried to contain the fire with a garden hose at first.
“The door would only go up three feet,” Campbell told the television station. “I just floored it, she popped through the door made all kinds of noise by then I inhaled so much smoke.”
“We had to put our own fire out with our own truck, with no gear, we did it all in shorts and sandals, not too smart,” Fire Chief Kenny Kisow said.
Kisow said he has a better understanding of what fire victims go through after their belongings are lost in a fire.
The department has replaced a majority of the lost apparatus and equipment.
