By Kyle Wind
The Times-Tribune
LAKEVILLE, Pa. — A fire at the Lakeville Volunteer Fire Company destroyed the department’s tanker truck and damaged an addition on the building, the fire chief said Saturday.
A Commonwealth Health Emergency Medical Services quick-response vehicle parked in a bay the company leases caught fire late Friday night, starting a blaze that was ruled accidental. It damaged the building’s 1994 addition and the 2-year-old, $260,000 tanker truck, Chief Robert Boogertman said.
A concrete wall separating the addition from where the rescue and engine utility trucks were parked saved the other vehicles and shielded the rest of the 10 Daniels Road building from damage.
The fire department has another tanker truck at a substation about 6 miles away.
“You don’t hear about too many fires at a firehouse,” Chief Boogertman said. “This one really hits close to home and goes to show it can happen anywhere.”
The chief and firefighters remained at the headquarters throughout the day, and residents stopped by periodically to offer support -- gestures firefighters found meaningful.
The main fire hall and the department will remain operational, and surrounding agencies offered additional help while Lakeville Volunteer Fire Company gets back on its feet, the chief said.
The chief called the blaze a significant setback but said the emergency response agency was insured.
“We’re going to bounce back and rebuild in a quick, timely manner,” Chief Boogertman said.
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