Brownsville building under remodel damaged by fire
A building that was being remodeled to hold a new business and apartments was heavily damaged in a fire late Wednesday. A firefighter also suffered minor injuries, officials said.
Route 40 was closed for nearly three hours as firefighters from more than 10 departments battled the blaze at 413 Market St., according to Brownsville Fire Co. No. 1 Chief Jordan Sealy.
He said they were called to the former Sheehan’s market at 11 p.m.
A Luzerne Township firefighter suffered minor lower leg injuries in a fall outside the building. He was transported to a nearby hospital, Sealy said.
A fire marshal was called to investigate the cause of the fire. Sealy said the fire appeared suspicious initially because it was unoccupied and nobody was permitted to be inside at the time.
But all the utilities were on, and firefighters noted nothing abnormal about the fire.
The three-story building was being remodeled to open a pizza shop downstairs and apartments upstairs.
“Obviously, that’s not going to happen now,” he said.
The first and second levels were heavily damaged by smoke and water.
“It was in pretty bad shape, as far as that goes,” Sealy said.
He said the manpower to combat the fire was excellent. Once firefighters were able to access the roof, the fire was quickly contained and soon extinguished, he said.