When Poland volunteers arrived at their station to answer a call Sunday afternoon, they ended up having to call for help because smoke was coming out of the firehouse.
Officials believe an electrical malfunction on the heavy rescue in the station cause the fire. The apparatus suffered extensive damage.
"It's still unclear how much damage has been sustained," Chief Scot Burritt told WKTV.com. "We'll be evaluating the equipment and structural damage over the next several days."
Firefighters from nearby Newport Fire were called to contain the fire, but not before the station and their equipment was damaged.
A ladder truck and two pumpers were covered with soot.
By late afternoon firefighters from East Herkimer, Frankfort, Frankfort Center, Mohawk, Newport and Salisbury were all at the Poland fire station helping them clean up equipment.
Burritt said his firefighters will respond with Barneveld Deerfield, Newport, and Remsen fire departments until things are sorted out.
"The area covered by Poland will be shared between those four departments," said Burritt. "As soon as our turnout gear is dry from getting cleaned we will be responding to assist in pieces of apparatus that are cleaned and ready to go."
