Fire Spotted Near Pa. Junior Firefighting Training Event

July 24--MARION -- Shouts of "fire!" confused participants of the Junior Firefighting Academy as real flames ignited in a building less than a quarter-mile from the Franklin County Public Safety Training Center where they all had gathered for training.

According to Marion Volunteer Fire Company Deputy Fire Chief Steve Cummings, members of the company at the event were able to jump in their truck and go straight there.

Shortly after the fire was out and crews continued to work on the building, Cummings estimated the damage to the building was moderate. He said the state fire marshal was being called to investigate.

Cummings said the owner of the building, which was used as a part of a truck repair shop, was at the training event. There was no one in the building at the time of the fire, and no injuries.

"This would have been a much bigger loss had the guys not been back there," Cummings said. The crews first on scene used an "aggressive attack" to get the fire under control in about 15 minutes.

The fire caused U.S. 11 to be closed from near Loop Road to near Nellie Fox Bowl, and for traffic to be redirected for about an hour.

Copyright 2014 - Public Opinion, Chambersburg, Pa.