MITCHELL – A Marion Township firefighter escaped serious injury Friday after the brush truck he was driving rolled over on the ice-covered road when responding to an early morning structure fire.
At 7:14 a.m., Marion Station 5 and Mitchell fire departments were dispatched to a working structure fire in the 1700 block of Pumphouse Road. While responding, Marion Engine 52 was alerted by a member that they had been involved in a rollover accident in Squad 54, one of the department’s brush units.
Mitchell Engine 5 offered to turn around and respond to the accident involving the brush truck.
Engine 52 arrived on the scene at 1794 Pumphouse Road and found an approximate 10 x 12 outbuilding fully involved in fire within eight feet of the residence.
Crews quickly brought the fire under control with one attack line.
According to Marion Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Paul Gillespie, “The property owner stated they had a heat lamp in the outbuilding to keep animals warm; he had heard a pop then later noticed the building engulfed in fire. There was minor damage to the residence where heat had melted some of the siding. The outbuilding was a total loss. “
While responding to a reported structure fire, Squad 54 lost control of the vehicle on ice and snow-covered Millcreek Road directly behind the Lehigh plant.
Chief Gillespie states, “The member driving was initially trapped in the vehicle but could self-extricate. The firefighter only suffered a small laceration to his arm that only required medical attention at the scene.
Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department investigated the accident. Assisting at the scene were Marion Township Station 5 and Mitchell Fire Dept.
