PARK PLACE - A fire that destroyed a storage shed in Mahanoy Township on Monday morning was determined to be "unintentional/accidental."
Firefighters were called to the rear of 119 Park Place Road at 11:58 a.m. for a report of a structure fire. They found a wooden shed completely engulfed in flames that spread to surrounding brush.
Anthony Blackwell, Mahanoy City Fire Department's administrative assistant and safety officer, said Mahanoy City fire Chief Randy Kalce and Assistant Chief William Killian Jr. determined the cause of the blaze.
Blackwell said borough firefighters were assisted by Delano firefighters and had the blaze under control within minutes using multiple hand lines. Crews remained on the scene for more than an hour to make sure the fire was completely extinguished, Blackwell said.
He said the blaze was reported by neighbors at 123 Park Place Road who found the seldom used shed fully ablaze after hearing "popping noises" that sounded like gunshots.
Thomas Ward III, a member of Mahanoy City's Citizens Fire Company, was also passing by the area about the same time and called 911 to confirm the fire.
The owner of the shed and the home directly in front of it, Ira Foose, was not home at the time of the fire but arrived shortly after. Foose said the shed was used for storage, Blackwell said.
Park Place Road was closed while crews battled the fire and no injuries occurred, Blackwell said.
Firefighters from Shenandoah, Frackville and Ryan Township were initially called to assist but canceled when crews realized that their services were not needed. Mahanoy City EMS and area fire police also assisted at the scene.
