State officials investigating rash of fires
Recent fires in the Lehigh Valley - including one in the early-morning of March 29 - are under investigation by a state fire marshal.
That fire, a fully involved barn blaze at 4413 Cherryville Road, Allen Township, came on the heels of several other barn fires, including two in Lehigh Township.
In Lehigh Township, a barn fire broke out March 15 along Cedar Drive. The second was March 23 along Fir Drive.
Lehigh Township Police Department posted on its Facebook page that officers are investigating the suspicious barn fire that occurred on Fir Drive between the hours of 1 a.m. and 2 a.m.
Police said anyone who has surveillance footage from home cameras or witnessed anyone in the area is asked to contact Detective Matthew Enstrom at 610-760-8800.
Contacted last week, Lehigh Township Fire Chief Rick Hildebrand said neither of those fires resulted in any injuries. However, he said the barn fire on Fir Drive resulted in the loss of some livestock.
Both barns in Lehigh Township were total losses, he said, adding that they are being investigated by the township’s fire marshal and a state fire marshal.
Firefighters from volunteer departments across the region also responded 10:13 a.m. March 27 to a working structure fire at the Seemsville Pub & Grille, 3819 Seemsville Road, Allen Township.
A GoFundMe account, gofundme.com/relief-fund-for-kelly-ettl, has been set up for Seemsville Pub employee Kelly Ettl, who lived in the top floor of the building and lost everything.
At press time April 3, $5,017 of the $5,000 goal had been raised.
Around 10:51 p.m. March 24, Laurys Station, Neffs, Lehigh Township, Whitehall’s Egypt station, Schnecksville, Tri-Clover and Allen Township volunteer firefighters were dispatched for a barn fire at 1352 Clearview Road, North Whitehall Township.
Laurys Station Fire Chief Robin Hood said the fire was brought under control 11:21 p.m.
North Whitehall Fire Marshal Jim Steward and state police Fire Marshal Trooper James Welsh are investigating the fire. Northern Valley Ambulance Corps and Macungie rehabilitation emergency medical services assisted at the scene.