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Off-duty fire chief spots station fire, saves equipment

The assistant chief began battling the fire until neighboring departments arrived on scene

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By FireRescue1 Staff

WAMPUM, Pa. — An assistant fire chief was driving home from work when he saw smoke coming from a fire station Tuesday night.

After Assistant Wampum Fire Chief T.J. Edinger called 911, he made his way to the station and began to extinguish the fire on the department’s squad car.

The station was significantly damaged, and three vehicles were burned, reported New Castle News. None of the department’s fire engines were damaged.

“We have just enough equipment left. We are not out of the game,” Edinger said.

For the time being, the department will store the fire engines in the borough garage. Edinger said insurance officials will determine what will happen to the station.

“We’re all volunteer, work hard for the money for the building, put a lot of heart and soul into it and something like this to happen, it’s heartbreaking,” Wampum Fire Chief Charles Kelly. Jr. told CBS Pittsburgh.

Several other fire departments responded to the fire. There were no injuries and the incident is under investigation.