GIRARDVILLE - The investigation continues into the fire that destroyed a Girardville business property Wednesday evening, though arson has been ruled out as a cause.
Borough fire Chief Frank Zangari was at the former Jiffy Mart convenience store, 146 N. Second St., early Thursday morning to begin his investigation into the cause, with state police Fire Marshal John Burns of the Frackville station joining him as they went through what was left of the two-story building. The Jiffy Mart had been closed since the death in June of business owner/operator Joseph P. Womer Sr. No one was living in the building at this time.
"We haven't determined the cause but it is not arson," Zangari said shortly after noon. "The building had been secured."
The fire alarm was sounded about 7:30 p.m., with firefighters and borough police Officer in Charge John Borchick arriving on the scene with smoke coming from two sides of the building.
The smoke became very heavy, obstructing visibility in the area, followed by flames coming from the windows.
"The firefighters broke into the building to suppress the fire," Zangari said, but due to the imminent collapse of the roof, firefighters were withdrawn from the building to fight the fire defensively in order to prevent its spread to nearby structures. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Second and A streets, suffered some damage to the outside corner at the rear of the social hall closest to the Jiffy Mart. The main church was untouched.
"The fire was burning for quite some time before anybody noticed it. There was only one call to the 911 center from a female who said the Jiffy Mart was on fire," Zangari said.
Except for one firefighter with a minor injury, no one else was hurt.
"The property is totally destroyed with about $250,000 damage," Zangari said. "The store was closed, but the owners were planning to open it soon. Girardville certainly needed the store, so it is a great loss for the community."
In addition to the Girardville fire companies, other fire units responding were from Ashland, Shenandoah, Mahanoy Plane, William Penn, Altamont and Mahanoy City, according to Zangari.
"The firefighters did a great job. There's a little bit of scarring on the corner of the church hall, though no damage to the church or the hall. No exposure problems on any other buildings, so it was contained to just this building."
Pottsville area resident Robert Rose waited nearby for his insurance company to arrive. Rose is one of several family members who have owned the property for the past 10 years.
"It's a mess, that's for sure. It's going to have to come down. There is no doubt about that," Rose said. "We were just getting ready to open it again in a week or two. Unbelievable."
Zangari said no cause had been determined as of Thursday night.