Fire destroy Easton machine shop
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
Flewellings’ shop burns
EASTON — A fire Thursday night destroyed a building owned by Jerry and Bruce Flewelling located at 247 Route 1A.
“A nephew, Brent Flewelling, happened to be the one who saw the fire and called it in around 9:30 p.m.,” said Easton Fire Chief Kim White.
White said when firefighters arrived, the structure was fully engulfed in flames.
“The machine shop was totally involved on arrival. Mutual aid was provided by Mars Hill Fire Department, which sent two tankers and a crew, as well as the Presque Isle Fire Department, which sent a tanker and crew. Easton had about 25 firefighters on scene. All together, we had probably 40 firefighters tackling the blaze,” said White, noting the fire was under control within a few hours.
No injuries were reported and the building was insured. White said the structure and thousands of dollars in tools were destroyed.
“The owners indicated they’d been having electrical problems with the building. Although the fire remains under investigation, it looks like it was electrical in nature,” said White.
The well-known local farming family used the machine shop to maintain farm equipment, said White.
White credited Flewelling for saving several items from being destroyed.
“The nephew moved some tractors and vehicles. He’s the real hero of the show,” said the chief.
