|
Official: Fire at DuBois Perkins was accidental |
|
|
|
Local Content -
Local News
|
|
Written by Larry McGuire
|
|
Saturday, 25 April 2009 |
The fire that destroyed this Perkins Restaurant & Bakery in Sandy Township Thursday has been ruled accidental by the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal. (Photo by Larry McGuire/The Punxsutawney Spirit)
SANDY TOWNSHIP — Friday, the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshall ruled that a fire that completely destroyed the Perkins Restaurant & Bakery around 12:33 p.m. Thursday was accidental.
The restaurant along East DuBois Avenue, Sandy Township, Route 255, is owned by Doug Jaggi of Treasure Lake.
According to reports, Sandy Township Fire Chief Bob Wilson said the fire started in the kitchen above the stove in the hooded area, and Perkins personnel attempted to extinguish the fire before firefighters arrived.
Customers and employees were evacuated safely, and there were no injuries.
Mick McCracken, state police fire investigator, said in an interview with WJAC-TV that everyone thinks because there were people in the restaurant at the time the fire broke out, it would have been discovered quickly.
"That's just another indicator to us that the fire was up in the ceiling and had a pretty good start before anyone knew what was happening," he said.
The fire spread to the ceiling, came through the roof and traveled rapidly through the entire building.
Firefighters were battling the blaze on the roof and in the restaurant when the structure became unsafe, and flames entirely engulfed the building.
Three aerial trucks and an exterior attack was used to extinguish the blaze.
The property and contents is covered by insurance, and Jaggi said he intends to rebuild.
According to reports, two firefighters suffered smoke inhalation. One was taken to DRMC, treated and released. The second firefighter was treated at the scene.
A Burger King Restaurant located next door remained closed Friday as crews continued to clean up from the smoke and heat damage.
Sandy Township fire companies Adrian, West Sandy, Oklahoma, Sabula and Treasure Lake fought the blaze with assistance from Union and Brady townships; Falls Creek; Penfield; Brockway; DuBois Friendship; Reynoldsville; Fourth Ward; Clearfield; Sykesville; and J.E. DuBois.
Sandy Township firefighters were assisted by Sandy Township Police; DuBois Red Cross; B&P Railroad; DuSan Ambulance; DuBois EMS Ambulance; National Fuel Gas; Penelec; PennDOT; Sandy Township Public Works; state Rep. Matt Gabler's office; Sandy Township and Clearfield County Emergency Management Agencies; and the DuBois City Water Department.
Firefighters battled the blaze and hot spots for more than seven hours.
|
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 27 April 2009 )
|
