Dec 28, 2006 By Josh Krysak 2 min read

LOWER TYRONE TWP. – A fast-moving fire ripped through a Lower Tyrone business Wednesday afternoon, completely destroying the building on Banning Road. Firefighters from more than a dozen stations battled the blaze at Sechrist Auto Wreckers at 887 Banning Road, where flames quickly engulfed a large one-story garage. The lot, which includes several businesses, also houses Bob Cossell’s Used Auto & Truck Parts and more than 7,000 junked vehicles.

Officials said the fire was contained to the original building of Sechrist Auto Wreckers, which has been in business in the region for decades.

The fire broke out around 2 p.m. and continued to burn into the evening hours, with several fire stations remaining on scene to monitor the smoldering rubble.

Volunteer firefighters from Scottdale used an aerial truck to try and douse the flames from above the building as several crews, including a team from Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department, worked through the burning building trying to squelch the fire from the inside.

Firefighters used saws to cut away a chain-link fence to gain access to the fire from the road as fire trucks surrounded the building to enable volunteers to hit the flames with hose lines from all sides.

Thick, black smoke was visible from about five miles away. More than 10 tanker trucks from stations in Fayette and Westmoreland counties were used to shuttle water to the fire site from the Dawson Grange, located about two miles away from the auto salvage yard.

The cause of the fire was not immediately determined. The state police fire marshal was called to investigate.

Officials said no firefighters were injured.

Volunteer fire crews from Connellsville Township, Connellsville, DL&V, Dawson, Dunbar, Everson, Fayette City, Monarch, Perry Township, Smock, South Connellsville, West Leisenring, Washington Township, North Union Township, Bullskin Township, Flatwoods and Scottdale responded to the fire.