Firefighters battle overnight blaze

Fire began in a woodshop now used for storage

EAST FALLOWFIELD >> Firefighters responded to a fire overnight in an outbuilding that had heavy fire showing upon arrival.

Firefighters were dispatched at 1:39 a.m. Friday to the unit block of Youngs-burg Road.

Modena Fire Chief Frank Dowlin said the fire began in an old woodshop that is now used as a storage shed. He said upon arrival the shed was fully involved. He said the roof on one of sides in the rear of the shed had collapsed prior to their arrival. He noted that the firefighters used a defensive attack on the fire because the structural integrity was compromised. The one-story building is about 20-feet-by-30-feet.

“It was a complete loss,” Dowlin said.

The estimated damage to the property is $30,000 and a loss of $75,000 in contents, according to Dowlin.

The woodshop is located about 30 feet away from the owner’s home. The home was not damaged. No injuries were reported.

Dowlin said the cause of the fire was believed to be an issue with the stove. He added that the fire has been ruled accidental.

The fire was placed under control at 2:12 a.m. Dowlin said the crews had to do extensive overhaul. Firefighters also had to put out a brush fire on the property that spread to about a quarter acre. Firefighters cleared the scene at 6:04 a.m.

Coatesville Fire Department, Sadsburyville Fire Company, Keystone Valley Fire Department and Concordville Fire Company assisted Modena and Westwood Fire Companies.

PHOTO BY MARK J. WALSH/IRISHEYEZ PHOTOGRAPHY Firefighters responded to a fire overnight in an outbuilding in East Fallowfield that had heavy flames showing upon arrival.