Crews Battle Fire At Lernerville Speedway
BUFFALO TOWNSHIP (KDKA) --- Emergency crews responded to a fire at Lernerville Speedway early Tuesday morning.
Butler County emergency dispatchers say Buffalo Township Police first spotted the fire in an office building on the speedway grounds shortly after 4 a.m.
"My brother, Johnny, called me about 4:30 and said, 'Tim, Lernerville is on fire,'" Lernerville Speedway General Manager Tim Tomson said.
Tomson took KDKA-TV's Amy Wadas inside the office building to tour the damage. The fire happened in the back half of the building.
"There's some damage back here. It's a workshop area. Some tools, there's a truck and tractor in there also," Tomson said.
That workshop is where equipment is fixed during racing season. The Buffalo Township fire chief says the pickup truck and tractor were slightly damaged, but the roof and siding is another story.
"The roof and the wall area, with it being a metal roof and siding, it didn't affect the metal, obviously. The inner structure is what took the bulk of the load," Buffalo Township Fire Chief Matt Cypher said.
The roof was burned and debris was scattered all over the floor.
"When I got on scene, there was a heavy fire load in the garage area. Our engine got on scene and took the initial attack through the main door. Got in there and knocked down through the front door to make sure there was no extension through the office or anything," Cypher said.
Fortunately, no one was hurt.
"They did a great job. I commend those guys, those first responders," Tomson said.
The fire chief says the building looks like it can be fixed, which is a good thing considering racing season starts in April.
The state police fire marshal is investigating the cause.
Stay With KDKA.com For More Details
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
