Photo courtesy of Lawrence Township Emergency Services
By Paul Garrod
Staff Writer
HARTFORD TWP. – Firefighters from five area fire departments responded to a building fire Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 19, at 3:31 pm, to 49256 County Road 681, Hartford Township, according to a press release from Lawrence Township Emergency Services (LTES).
LTES Fire Chief Mike Anchor said initially, the Lawrence Fire Department was called per the auto-aid agreement between Hartford and Lawrence for structure fires. Arriving at the scene, Hartford Fire Department personnel reported a 40-by-40 pole barn-type building, fully involved, with an exposure of several cars. No one was at the address upon the arrival of the fire department. Assistance for tankers/manpower was then requested by Hartford from Bangor, Keeler and Watervliet fire departments, according to Anchor. The owner, who arrived approximately 30 minutes after the fire department’s arrival, reported he had been working on one of the vehicle’s gas tanks/fuel pump, and left the building to go to town, when the fire occurred.
The fire was reported to 9-1-1 by a passer-by on County Road 681. Anchor said it appears that possibly the gasoline fumes that were present may have been ignited when the building’s furnace became operational. The building was a total loss and was uninsured. No injuries were reported. Anchor said there were approximately seven passenger cars/ trucks damaged by the fire, and at least three completely burned. Some vehicles were inside the shop, while and others were parked near outside.
Anchor said that windy conditions hampered firefighters’ efforts as they battled to put out the fire, which fire officials said contributed to a quicker fire spread throughout the building. Anchor said the last unit cleared at approximately 7 p.m.
No further investigation is pending, according to Anchor.