JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — Firefighters battled a late-night commercial blaze Sunday, January 25, along Route 15 southbound, where heavy smoke, intense fire conditions, and a partial roof collapse forced crews to shift to defensive operations, authorities said.
Members of the Jefferson Township Fire Department’s Station 2 and Station 1, along with the Jefferson Township Rescue Squad, were dispatched at 9:55 p.m. following reports of smoke coming from a commercial tire shop. The first-arriving ladder company reported heavy smoke showing from the structure.
Firefighters forced entry into the building but encountered heavy fire throughout the interior. Due to deteriorating conditions and a partial roof collapse, incident commanders transitioned operations to a defensive strategy, officials said.
Firefighting efforts were further complicated by recent heavy snowfall, which left fire hydrants buried, as well as ongoing winter weather conditions. Crews remained on scene for several hours, with units clearing and returning to service shortly after 1:00 a.m. Monday.
The cause of the fire has not yet been released, and no injuries were immediately reported. Fire officials expressed appreciation to the mutual aid departments that responded and assisted at the scene.
