Terry Township fire destroys garage

April 30--A Tuesday morning fire in Terry Township destroyed a garage located on Masters Lane, but firefighters responding to the incident were able to keep the fire from spreading to the property's house, which lies just feet away.

No one was injured during the incident, New Albany Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mike Epler said Tuesday.

The garage, owned by Dale and Heidi Masters, became engulfed in flames at around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. Dale Masters spotted the fire and called the blaze in to 911, he said.

Heidi Masters said the cause of the fire has yet to be determined, but that an investigator from their insurance company is expected to arrive today to try to identify how the fire began.

Epler said he was one of the first responders to the incident and when he arrived the garage was "fully involved."

He said emergency personnel worked to protect the house from the blaze and were successful in doing so, with the house's back porch only receiving minor damage.

In about 30 minutes, firefighters had the inferno under control, Epler said.

He echoed Heidi Masters' statement and said the cause of the fire is undetermined and will be investigated by the Masters' insurance company.

Responding to the incident was New Albany Volunteer Fire Department as the primary department, and Wyalusing, Dushore, Wilmot and Monroeton fire departments provided assistance, he said.

Dale Masters said the garage housed his work shop.

"The most important thing is that my house is still standing," he said.

Tim Zyla can be reached at (570) 265-1634; email: tzyla@thedailyreview.com; or Twitter, @TimZyla.

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