The garage roof of the Reedsville Volunteer Fire Company collapsed Monday as crews were responding to a house fire, leaving two of the company’s four vehicles out of service.
Nobody was hurt in the roof collapse. Nearby companies in Mifflin County are helping to respond to emergencies while company leaders work to get back to normal.
“We actually felt a bump. And then, the operator looked in the mirror and saw that the compartment door was knocked off. And then, the building fell shortly thereafter,” said Lt. Matthew Yohn.
Chief Dan Aumiller explained a compartment door on the engine had popped open and hit a center support wall, which caused the roof to collapse.
There was one person still in the tanker, which was still in the garage. He was able to get out unhurt, said Aumiller.
Following the collapse, the tanker and the rescue truck are still in the garage. The engine and brush truck are still in service.
Chief Aumiller said that means the company can still respond to calls, such as house fires, but responding to vehicle accidents is problematic.
Aumiller tried to reassure people in the community that other emergency response agencies will work to fill the gap in coverage.
The company’s working vehicles are being housed at the Brown Township municipal building. The company was already in the process of trying to move into a new building next door.
“We were actually fairly close to getting to where we can apply for permits. This is probably going to speed that process up a little bit now,” said Aumiller.
The company is accepting donations both to pay for the damage of the roof collapse as well as the construction of the new site. A fund has been established at the Juniata Valley Bank at 20 Prince Street in Reedsville.