YORK, Pa. — York County officials are providing an update one week after a massive six-alarm fire tore through a warehouse.
According to a press release from the City of York, on Friday, July 12 at 6:37 p.m., fire crews and first responders were sent to 951 Elm St., the former York Hoover Body Corp., for a structure fire. At the scene, officials witnessed heavy fire showing from the first and second floors already through the roof, extending well into the structure.
The 151,000-square-foot building was being used as a distribution warehouse. There was a variety of different products being stored which reportedly contributed to the fire fuel load, according to officials.
The building, which was the size of almost two blocks in length and one block in width, posed several issues and challenges for first responders fighting the fire as crews encountered a heavy fire that was rapidly extending.
First responders determined that the building would not be able to be extinguished, according to the York officials. The primary focus then became protecting the surrounding exposed buildings.
A decision was made to set up tanker fill sites around the warehouse to assist with water demand and also help fight fire if it were to expand to other buildings.
However, in the process, two tankers collided and several firefighters were injured.
The bulk of the fire was extinguished after midnight. Crews remained on the scene, extinguishing hot spots until Monday afternoon.
Due to the building becoming unstable and starting to collapse, it was demolished for safety reasons.
Officials with the City of York thanked all assisting departments who fought the blaze and the many businesses and private citizens who donated food and beverages to the firefighters.
A fire investigation is being conducted by the York City Police Detectives and York City Fire Department and remains under investigation at this time.