A warehouse in Upper Leacock Township, Lancaster County, was destroyed by a fire early Sunday morning (July 13). The fire, which began around 3 a.m., led to the evacuation of nearby residents due to the presence of a gas line. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The warehouse, located at the intersection of South Maple Avenue and Site Road, housed four businesses and was almost completely destroyed by the flames.
According to CBS21, one employee was inside the warehouse at the time but managed to escape safely. Firefighters faced challenges due to the building's size and the unknown contents inside, including potential chemicals. Hazmat crews from Lebanon County were called in to assist.
The fire involved crews from 16 fire departments and required 14 tanker trucks to combat the blaze. The building's roof collapsed, and its corrugated metal siding melted due to the heat. Firefighters were on the scene for over nine hours, and the area was cleared around 11:30 a.m.
The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire, but Upper Leacock Fire Chief Sam Huber expressed uncertainty about determining the cause due to the extensive damage. Roads in the area were closed for several hours during the incident.