Staff Writer
ASHLAND — An early-morning fire Sunday that caused considerable damage to a Station Hill business remains under investigation.
“At approximately 4:15 a.m. Sunday, a call came into the department reporting a fire at Pine Tree Trucking, located on Station Hill,” said Ned LaBelle, chief of the Ashland Fire Department. “The property is owned by Gordon Cote.” LaBelle said the structure is also used by J.D. Raymond Trucking.
“J.D. Raymond Trucking rents a space in the same building. Both businesses had property in the facility,” said LaBelle.
Ashland firefighters, with aid from several communities, were able to bring the fire under control in under two hours, said LaBelle.
“We received mutual aid from Portage, Masardis, Mapleton and Presque Isle. We had the blaze under complete control in one and a half hours,” he said.
Crews were able to control the fire, preventing it from spreading elsewhere.
“Crews kept it within the building. They did a really great job,” said LaBelle.
No injuries were reported as the result of the blaze. Equipment housed in the structure, however, sustained heavy damage.
“Equipment, including a wood grinder and 18 wheeler, were damaged in the fire,” said LaBelle.
LaBelle did not have an estimate on the damage to the equipment or the building but did indicate it was extensive.
“The contents most likely can be repaired but the structure had significant damage, due to the heat. It’s a metal building and not designed to withstand the heat caused by such a fire,” he said.
LaBelle said he believed the property was insured. For tax purposes, the building is valued at $150,000.
“The Fire Marshal’s Office was notified and has been investigating this week, but no cause has been determined,” said LaBelle.
