Fire breaks out today at Bloomsburg’s Moose Exchange

Jan. 30---- BLOOMSBURG -- Firefighters from across the Susquehanna Valley are currently battling a fire at the Moose Exchange in the heart of downtown Bloomsburg.

The fire originated in the back of the first floor, in an area referred to as "the DJ closet," said Oren Helbok, executive director of the Moose Exchange, located at 203 West Main Street. He did not know an exact cause as of early afternoon, Thursday.

While people were in the building at the time of the fire, Helbok said all those that he knew of made it out safely. Exchange janitor Bobby Brown was being treated for smoke inhalation in an ambulance. Helbok said that he and Brown fought the fires when they first noticed them. Brown was still able to sit upright while being treated, Helbok said.

The call for emergency responders went out shortly before noon. Emergency responders closed West Main Street from West Street to Market Street.

About 10 tenants rent space from the exchange, all artists or small retailers.

Smoke was billowing out of windows in the exchange's first and second floors and firefighters were seen breaking open windows with poles to let the smoke out.

A large crowd gathered across the street to watch the scene, with many taking pictures or video using cell phones or tablets.

Helbok said the building is insured.

Nate Charles and Veronica Gordon, co-owners of the Exchange store Legendary Comics and Tea Room, were at the scene of the fire. As far as they knew, all of their staff had made it out safely.

"We're glad everyone's safe and we're waiting to hear the extent of the damages," Charles said. The store has liability insurance, he said, though they won't have an estimate on damages until later.

Gordon and Charles have already had offers of support from friends right after they heard of the fire. "There's been a lot of people reaching out and asking what they can do," Charles said.

Bloomsburg resident Joe Zook heard about the fire after he received a text from his wife. The two are both members of the Mountain Winds Budo dojo, located in the second floor of the Moose Exchange.

"We were just there (at the Exchange) the other day for bowling," he said.

The building had been the Bloomsburg Moose Lodge for 50 years prior to Helbok turning it into the Moose Exchange in January 2010.

Emergency responders at the scene included East End Fire Company, Espy Fire Company, Bloomsburg Fire Department, Buckhorn Fire Company, Montour Township Fire Department, Catawissa Fire Department and Danville Ambulance.

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