Just before midnight on Wednesday, the Bradford County 911 center dispatched a working commercial structure fire at Cummings Lumber on Route 14 in Troy Township, according to a press release from the Bradford County Department of Public Safety.
After taking numerous calls reporting visible flames, a second alarm was summoned. Upon arrival of first units, a working fire was confirmed with heavy fire, and a third alarm was requested.
Crews immediately established several water supply points and began tanker shuttle operations while also initiating aggressive interior and exterior attacks. During suppression efforts, crews were faced with an exploding oil tank which resulted in a partial roof collapse. Aerial ladders were summoned along with the equivalent of fourth and fifth alarm assignments.
Penelec was requested for power disconnect and facility staff arrived to assist crews in managing the boiler system to prevent a potential steam explosion.
EMA 2 arrived requesting immediate response of the county drone unit to observe the “charlie side” of the structure, the county rehab unit, and the hazmat unit to manage spilled fluids. A second ambulance was also requested along with PennDOT to assist with shutting down State Route 14. T and R Environmental was also requested to the scene for assistance in mitigating an oil spill.
The fire was declared out after 5 a.m. No one was injured in the fire.
“Thoughts and prayers go out to the Cummings family who have owned the family business now into its fourth generation,” the Bradford County Department of Public Safety said in the press release.
“A huge thank you to all who responded and the efforts of over a dozen agencies. A big thank you also to dispatchers Wills and Morton for their excellent work. No additional information will be released.
Route 14 is now open to traffic and there is no environmental impact from the oil. Thank you to the mutual aid agencies that spanned four counties from two states.”
On Site Units
Troy FD – Full Response
South Creek FD – Engine and 2 Tankers
Canton FD – Aerial, Engine and Tanker
Smithfield Twp FD – 2 Engines
Big Elm FD – Engine and Tanker
Franklin Twp FD – Engine and Tanker
Mansfield FD – Tanker and Aerial
Blossburg FD – Engine
Southport FD – Engine
Ridgebury FD – Engine and Tanker
Pine City FD – Tanker
North Towanda FD – Tanker
Endless Winds FD – Tanker
Ridgebury EMS
Western EMS
Penelec
PennDOT
Bradford County Drone Team
Bradford County Rehab
EMA 2-4-5-6
T and R Environmental
Liberty FD – Tanker cover Canton
North Towanda FD – Engine cover Canton
Webb’s Mills FD – Tanker cover South Creek
Wellsburg FD – Engine to cover South Creek
