Three departments battled blaze at 33 Auto
The extensive fire damage is evident not only to the structure, but vehicles that were parked near the building. Photo by Brent Rose.
UPDATED INFORMATION – Further information on the response to the 33 Auto fire on State Route 833.
Meigs County Emergency Management has been on the scene along with response from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency concerning the oil spill at the burned out 33 Auto Clinic. According to Pomeroy Fire Chief Rick Blaettnar, the Ohio EPA was called in by Meigs Emergency Management Director Jamie Jones. Crews were reportedly still on the scene addressing the oil spill.
Additionally, Chief Blaettnar added that Pomeroy Fire Department responded with 22 firemen (previously reported as 17) and four fire trucks. Middleport Fire Department responded with two trucks and Rutland Fire Department had one truck.
POMEROY, Ohio – A shell of a building remains following a three alarm fire at 33 Auto.
Pomeroy Fire Department along with Middleport and Rutland Fire Departments responded to the business with the structure fully engulfed and flames shooting through the roof.
According to a resident of the area, Rhonda Foster, “You could see the black smoke and flames.”
She said she could see the black smoke rising from her home. She went over to witness sparks flying out of the building and several explosions. At that point, she moved back.
Fire fighters soon arrived on the scene and began working to extinguish the flames.
“When we arrived on the scene, flames were shooting through the roof. We began fighting the fire with two deck guns, one from Pumper 1 and one from Pumper 3. After gaining control of the fire, we used three attack lines to extinguish the flames,” said Pomeroy Fire Chief Rick Blaettnar.
Chief Blaettnar said the fire is still under investigation. Unofficial reports were there were three people in the building and the fire occurred while they were working. Chief Blaettnar did not confirm that but said, “There were two injuries, not firemen.”
In addition to dealing with the fire, the firefighters dealt with an oil spill associated with the fire. Oil from a heat source in the building began seeping into a small creek in front of the business. Firefighters worked to prevent the oil from spreading into the creek. The Meigs County ODOT responded to assist with bringing in sand to help with the oil spill. Several vehicles near the structure were also burned.
Pomeroy Fire Department had 17 firefighters on scene. Middleport responded with 10 and Rutland responded with eight firefighters. Also responding to the scene in addition to the fire departments were Rutland Squad 44, Meigs EMS, Meigs EMA, Ohio Department of Transportation, and American Electric Power. The Meigs County Sheriff’s Office assisted with traffic control along with the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
ALL AERIAL PHOTOS BY BRENT ROSE.
