Jan 11, 2011 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

BULLSKIN TWP. – A popular produce market was reduced to rubble early Monday as fire ripped through the frame structure on Route 119.

Bullskin Township Volunteer Fire Company Chief Joe Liska returned to Golden Apple Fruit Market, formerly Frank’s Fruit Market, later in the morning to meet with state police fire marshal James Garlick to determine what caused the midnight blaze.

“I don’t know what happened,” said Liska, as he stood in front of the charred structure. “My question is, ‘Why didn’t anyone see the fire as they were traveling down Route 119 and report it?'”

According to Liska, the building was engulfed in flames when he reached the scene and speculates that it was burning long before the fire departments began to arrive.

“You could see the glow in the sky from the Bullskin Township Elementary School,” he said. “And you could smell the smoke.”

Steven Redman of Scottdale is one of three owners of the business, according to Liska. He could not be reached for comment.

The market sold garden fruits and vegetables in the summer, pumpkins, cornstalks and other outdoor decor in the fall and Christmas trees in December.

State police were called to halt traffic in both the northbound and southbound lanes of Route 119 to protect firefighters battling the blaze along the southbound lanes and to allow hoses to be attached to hydrants along both sides of the highway.

In addition to frigid temperatures and water turning quickly to ice, Liska said that another concern was the potential for 2,000-pound propane tank in the building to explode if it was full.

Liska said that despite the number of fire trucks and emergency personnel on the scene, the fire had taken its toll and the building could not be salvaged.

“I told my safety officers that I didn’t want anyone inside,” he said. “It was too far gone.

“The only thing that could be done was put the fire out and keep it away from the propane tank,” he added.

The business had closed at the end of December. Liska speculated that the propane was used as a heating and cooling supplement. It was unclear if the tank was empty or full, but precautions were taken to keep the flames from the location.

With the exception of the propane tank and coolers, nothing else was inside the building, added Liska.

Electrical service was connected to the building.

Garlick, meanwhile, said that it was still unclear how the fire had started, adding that an investigation is continuing.

Although several firefighters had fallen on the ice that had accumulated at the scene, only one was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Others were treated at the fire scene by Fayette EMS Fire Rehabilitation Team medics for minor injuries.

“Everybody did one heck of a job,” said Liska.

In addition to the Bullskin Township department and Fayette EMS, other departments responding to the blaze were Connellsville Township, Everson, Morrell, Scottdale, East Huntingdon, Saltlick Township and Chestnut Ridge.