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Fire Destroys Pennsylvania Plumbing Business
KENA VERNON
WNEP
Reprinted with Permission
Fire destroyed a plumbing business in Northumberland County early Thursday and shut down a major road.
Route 61 through Kulpmont is expected to be closed until sometime this evening and traffic is being detoured around the fire scene.
The building that housed Pappy Baluta and Sons Plumbing and Heating for 25 years has partially collapsed and is so unstable authorities are wasting no time in demolishing it.
Smoke and fire ripped through the plumbing business in Kulpmont shortly after midnight.
The frame of the building is all that's left.
Investigators say the fire started in the back portion of the business.
The mayor said he knows the owner well.
"He's a friend of mine also so it hurts a little bit but the main thing is everyone got out and there are no injuries," said Kulpmont Mayor Myron Turlis.
The building had two apartments on the second floor.
No one was inside at the time of the fire. Investigators said the flames gutted the entire building, and caused it to lean. Because of that, the people who lived next door were forced out of their homes.
Millie Scicchitano owns a pizza shop just down the block. She said it hurts to see the business go.
"It's always sad to see a fire and when it's a business that has been around for a long time it their livelihood. So it's going to hurt that family for a while. It will hurt everybody because we try to support each other," Scicchitano said.
The fire marshal said the building is beyond repair and because of the damage the cause of the fire may never be known.
The building owner said he does have insurance and plans to rebuild. Neighbors hope the businesses comes back.
"That's a piece of history around here. It's been here since his father was around. Everybody knows him and everybody likes him. It's a shame," said neighbor Jim Dallavbrida of Kulpmont.
Route 61 is closed between Routes 54 and 901 in the Kulpmont area. Police said it will remain closed until the building is torn down, perhaps as long as tonight.
Copyright © 2010, WNEP-TV
WNEP
Reprinted with Permission
Fire destroyed a plumbing business in Northumberland County early Thursday and shut down a major road.
Route 61 through Kulpmont is expected to be closed until sometime this evening and traffic is being detoured around the fire scene.
The building that housed Pappy Baluta and Sons Plumbing and Heating for 25 years has partially collapsed and is so unstable authorities are wasting no time in demolishing it.
Smoke and fire ripped through the plumbing business in Kulpmont shortly after midnight.
The frame of the building is all that's left.
Investigators say the fire started in the back portion of the business.
The mayor said he knows the owner well.
"He's a friend of mine also so it hurts a little bit but the main thing is everyone got out and there are no injuries," said Kulpmont Mayor Myron Turlis.
The building had two apartments on the second floor.
No one was inside at the time of the fire. Investigators said the flames gutted the entire building, and caused it to lean. Because of that, the people who lived next door were forced out of their homes.
Millie Scicchitano owns a pizza shop just down the block. She said it hurts to see the business go.
"It's always sad to see a fire and when it's a business that has been around for a long time it their livelihood. So it's going to hurt that family for a while. It will hurt everybody because we try to support each other," Scicchitano said.
The fire marshal said the building is beyond repair and because of the damage the cause of the fire may never be known.
The building owner said he does have insurance and plans to rebuild. Neighbors hope the businesses comes back.
"That's a piece of history around here. It's been here since his father was around. Everybody knows him and everybody likes him. It's a shame," said neighbor Jim Dallavbrida of Kulpmont.
Route 61 is closed between Routes 54 and 901 in the Kulpmont area. Police said it will remain closed until the building is torn down, perhaps as long as tonight.
Copyright © 2010, WNEP-TV
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