LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — First responders battled a barn fire in Lancaster County early this morning.
Firefighters went out to the 5000 block of Newport Road just after 3:15 a.m. on Feb. 7, according to Lancaster County 911 Dispatch. Newport Road in Salisbury Township was closed while crews worked.
Chief Chris Beiler with the GAP Fire Company says no one was in the barn when it caught fire, and no people or animals were injured.
When crews arrived, the fire was on the second floor of the building and quickly spread to the roof, the chief said.
The flames weren't the only danger the firefighters were fighting—first responders say that the cold temperatures led to ice forming on the road as crews sprayed water on the flames. PennDOT was called out to salt the roads.
"It was below freezing, which makes it all difficult on the firefighters as far as slipping and falling, specifically on the side hill, a lot of blacktop," Chief Beiler said. "There was some slipping; as far as I know, no firefighters were injured, so we're blessed there, so fortunate."
The barn was a woodworks building that was used for storage, and there was no manufacturing being done when the fire broke out, according to officials. Neighbors have stepped up to bring food and supplies to help the owner of the barn.
Crews are working to tear down the damaged barn and put out any hotspots.
Chief Beiler says the fire appears to be accidental and is not suspicious in nature, but the cause is still under investigation. Over 100 firefighters from several departments assisted in extinguishing the blaze.