FIRE DESTROYS GYM IN WESTFALLS, PA, JUST SOUTH OF PORT JERVIS, NY
WESTFALL TOWNSHIP, PA – Amica CrossFit, located in Westfall Township, PA, was destroyed when heavy flames engulfed the structure shortly after 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday evening, June 29. Departments from across the Delaware River in Sullivan and Orange counties, NY, assisted in the firefighting operations.
Mutual aid was requested as part of a first alarm commercial box dispatch assignment after multiple calls reported flames and very thick black smoke at the gym located at 1005 Pennsylvania Ave, near Interstate 84.
According to Westfall Fire Department Chief Fred Jacobs, the Engine 39-1 arrived on scene less than two minutes after dispatch and reported a rapidly progressing fire underway. A supply line was immediately laid from a nearby hydrant and fire suppression begun with two master streams used to knock down the bulk of the blaze within about 10-15 minutes. Multiple other departments and units arrived promptly and assisted with fire extinguishment and overhaul.
Jacobs credited units working together from both sides of the Pennsylvania and New York sides of the Delaware River to quickly extinguish the blaze and complete the overhaul process, all within about a two-hour time frame.
Jacobs reported 10 fire trucks from six departments on scene. These were Westfall, Milford, Dingman Township, Matamoras Fire Departments (PA) and Port Jervis and Sparrowbush Fire Departments (NY).
Lumberland and Shohola Fire Departments remained on standby at Westfall’s firehouse.
Eastern Pike Regional Police Department also assisted on scene.
Jacobs noted that like all fires in Westfall Township, the fire is being investigated by local and state authorities, including the Pennsylvania State Police and a Fire Marshall.
The cause was not immediately reported.
