LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — First responders battled an overnight fire at a Lancaster County market.
The flames broke out just before 4 a.m. on Feb. 15 at Martin's Country Market, located at 1717 W. Main St. in Ephrata Township. Randall Gockley, public information officer for Lincoln Fire Company, says firefighters were alerted to the blaze by an automatic fire alarm and an employee who called emergency services when they smelled smoke.
Martin's Country Market will be closed indefinitely, the business said on Facebook.
"To be closed indefinitely is heartbreaking for all the Martin family, but at this point our concern is to take care of our employees and make sure them and their families are okay," Jay Martin, CEO, said.
Gockley says the fire is contained but not yet under control. The building does not have sprinklers, and despite being in an area with fire hydrants, crews still needed to supplement their water supply with tankers.
Martin's Country Market closed indefinitely after overnight fire
"My initial reaction was that I want everyone out of the building; if everyone is out of the building everything will be okay no matter what happens going forward," Nevin Martin, president of Martin Country Market, said.
All lanes of Route 322 are closed in both directions between Wood Corner Road and Robert Road for the fire departments, according to 511PA.com. Salt trucks have salted roads near the fire to prevent the water runoff from turning to ice, although efforts have not been entirely successful.
Gockley says the weather conditions have made the fire hard to fight. One person was injured when they slipped on ice, but the injury is not serious.
Around 200 firefighters and 45 fire companies came out to help battle the blaze.
The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal is investigating the fire; no cause has been determined yet. Gockley says the Country Market will suffer a multi-million dollar loss.