Speed JUnkyz
January 16th, 2009, 09:08 AM
Adams, York firefighters battle three-alarm blaze
<!--subtitle--><!--byline-->By KATHARINE HARMON
For the Daily Record/Sunday News
<!--date-->Updated: 01/15/2009 10:03:28 PM EST
<!--secondary date-->
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site515/2009/0115/20090115__web_011509-jr-floorfire-1_500.jpg (http://ydr.inyork.com/portlet/article/html/imageDisplay.jsp?contentItemRelationshipId=2271233 )
Firefighters battle a three-alarm fire Thursday at the Flooring Outlaw Carpet Outlet on Route 30 just east of Cross Keys in Adams County. (DAILY RECORD / SUNDAY NEWS -- JAMES ROBINSON)
<script language="JavaScript"> var requestedWidth = 0; </script><script language="JavaScript"> if(requestedWidth < 200){ requestedWidth = 200; } </script>http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site515/2009/0115/20090115_080257_crosskeys-fire_200.jpg (http://ydr.inyork.com/portlet/article/html/imageDisplay.jsp?contentItemRelationshipId=2271234 )
<script language="JavaScript"> if(requestedWidth > 0){ document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').styl e.width = requestedWidth + "px"; document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').styl e.margin = "0px 0px 10px 10px"; } </script> Standing in front of their business, watching flames engul it tonight, Melissa and Kevin Tester couldn't remember if their insurance was still valid. Because of the winter months and struggling economy, Floor Outlaws Flooring Outlet in the 6000 block of York Road in Berwick Township, Adams County, was open only by appointment, and Kevin Tester said they neglected to pay their insurance bill last month.
He wasn't sure what that meant for them now, as they watched the Cross Keys business they've owned for five years go up in flames.
Melissa Tester said she and her husband were sitting at a bar about 5:30 p.m. when her brother called. Not thinking the call was important, she said she ignored it. But when her 80-year-old grandmother, who spends most of her day sitting by her police scanner, called next, she knew something was wrong.
She said she never thought the calls would be about their business burning, and they rushed to the scene.
Firefighters from all over Adams and York counties battled the three-alarm blaze past rush hour today. A state police fire marshal was also expected on scene later, officials said.
Firefighters from more than 10 companies battled the heavy black smoke that within the hour turned to white smoke and engulfed them as they tried to fight it.
A portable pond was set up in front of the business as units brought trucks full of water to replenish it throughout the evening. A hose ran from Cross Keys Village - The Brethren Home Community across Route 94, through a convenience store parking lot and toward the fire, leaving an icy trail in its wake. Water from the pond was leaking all over the road, which quickly turned to ice. Water on the clothes of the firefighters also turned to ice.
Route 30 and Route 94 were closed at Cross Keys, keeping drivers from traveling east. Route 30 westbound was closed at the Abbottstown Square. All roads reopened about 8:30 p.m. and the state Department of Transportation was expected to salt the area.
About 7 p.m., most of the blaze was under control, leaving the gutted left side of the business exposed. On the right side, flames were still visible through the roof and through holes firefighters cut in the side of the building with chainsaws.
Officials brought a bulldozer to the scene to demolish the building.
Kevin Tester said his father's electric wheelchair was in the store, as were all of his tools. He estimated the business had 100 rolls of carpet, each 100 yards in length, in the building.
Melissa Tester said she had been in the store earlier in the day for an appointment but that, to her knowledge, nothing had been left on. Kevin Tester added that the furnace ran out of fuel earlier in the day and was expected to be refilled Friday.
<!--subtitle--><!--byline-->By KATHARINE HARMON
For the Daily Record/Sunday News
<!--date-->Updated: 01/15/2009 10:03:28 PM EST
<!--secondary date-->
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site515/2009/0115/20090115__web_011509-jr-floorfire-1_500.jpg (http://ydr.inyork.com/portlet/article/html/imageDisplay.jsp?contentItemRelationshipId=2271233 )
Firefighters battle a three-alarm fire Thursday at the Flooring Outlaw Carpet Outlet on Route 30 just east of Cross Keys in Adams County. (DAILY RECORD / SUNDAY NEWS -- JAMES ROBINSON)
<script language="JavaScript"> var requestedWidth = 0; </script><script language="JavaScript"> if(requestedWidth < 200){ requestedWidth = 200; } </script>http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site515/2009/0115/20090115_080257_crosskeys-fire_200.jpg (http://ydr.inyork.com/portlet/article/html/imageDisplay.jsp?contentItemRelationshipId=2271234 )
<script language="JavaScript"> if(requestedWidth > 0){ document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').styl e.width = requestedWidth + "px"; document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').styl e.margin = "0px 0px 10px 10px"; } </script> Standing in front of their business, watching flames engul it tonight, Melissa and Kevin Tester couldn't remember if their insurance was still valid. Because of the winter months and struggling economy, Floor Outlaws Flooring Outlet in the 6000 block of York Road in Berwick Township, Adams County, was open only by appointment, and Kevin Tester said they neglected to pay their insurance bill last month.
He wasn't sure what that meant for them now, as they watched the Cross Keys business they've owned for five years go up in flames.
Melissa Tester said she and her husband were sitting at a bar about 5:30 p.m. when her brother called. Not thinking the call was important, she said she ignored it. But when her 80-year-old grandmother, who spends most of her day sitting by her police scanner, called next, she knew something was wrong.
She said she never thought the calls would be about their business burning, and they rushed to the scene.
Firefighters from all over Adams and York counties battled the three-alarm blaze past rush hour today. A state police fire marshal was also expected on scene later, officials said.
Firefighters from more than 10 companies battled the heavy black smoke that within the hour turned to white smoke and engulfed them as they tried to fight it.
A portable pond was set up in front of the business as units brought trucks full of water to replenish it throughout the evening. A hose ran from Cross Keys Village - The Brethren Home Community across Route 94, through a convenience store parking lot and toward the fire, leaving an icy trail in its wake. Water from the pond was leaking all over the road, which quickly turned to ice. Water on the clothes of the firefighters also turned to ice.
Route 30 and Route 94 were closed at Cross Keys, keeping drivers from traveling east. Route 30 westbound was closed at the Abbottstown Square. All roads reopened about 8:30 p.m. and the state Department of Transportation was expected to salt the area.
About 7 p.m., most of the blaze was under control, leaving the gutted left side of the business exposed. On the right side, flames were still visible through the roof and through holes firefighters cut in the side of the building with chainsaws.
Officials brought a bulldozer to the scene to demolish the building.
Kevin Tester said his father's electric wheelchair was in the store, as were all of his tools. He estimated the business had 100 rolls of carpet, each 100 yards in length, in the building.
Melissa Tester said she had been in the store earlier in the day for an appointment but that, to her knowledge, nothing had been left on. Kevin Tester added that the furnace ran out of fuel earlier in the day and was expected to be refilled Friday.