SHAMOKIN – A state police fire marshal will investigate a fire Friday night that destroyed a garage owned by A&G; Towing at the end of Bear Valley Avenue.
The blaze broke out in the one-story garage owned by Al Keefer about 9:45 p.m. Firefighters were on the scene within minutes, according to Harry Deitz, of Shamokin.
Deitz said there were several explosions. One of them sent sparks and debris resembling fireworks into the air.
Keefer, who owns a towing business, filed a complaint againt Shamokin District Judge John Gembic III earlier this year claiming Gembic's new towing service was taking advantage of his close relationship with the police. Gembic is a shareholder in Anthracite Towing LLC.
No injuries were reported in the fire.
All of Shamokin's fire companies responded. Coal Township firefighters responded to Shamokin to standby.
Firefighters returned to their stations about 1:30 a.m. today.
According to published reports, Keefer, 45, of 713 Bear Valley Ave., was cited by the state Department of Environmental Protection last week for mining coal without a license or permit. He attended a hearing on Oct. 21in the Pottsville office of DEP to discuss the allegations. DEP ordered Keefer to stop. No charges have been filed against Keefer.
He was charged last month by Coal Township police with harassment for allegedly yelling obscenities at Michael Garcia, of Shamokin, chief operator of Anthracite Towing, during a towing call at 12:35 p.m. on Sept. 12 in the township.
A summary citation was filed in the office of Catawissa District Judge Craig Long to avoid any potential conflicts with a judge from Northumberland County being assigned the case.
News
Related Photos
-
Harry Deitz/For The Daily Item
Discussion
Fire destroys towing service garage in Shamokin
- News
-
-
Firefighter union may char pacts
LEWISBURG — Paid members of the William Cameron Engine Company have voted to unionize under the International Association of Fire Fighters, a move believed to stem from internal tension between paid and volunteer members of the department, according to various sources.
-
M-W rule on drug testing is area’s boldest
MIDDLEBURG — Midd-West is the only school district in the Central Susquehanna Valley that requires students interested in participating in extra-curricular activities to agree to submit to random drug testing.
-
New shelter exec gets busy
When Cathy Teisher stepped down as executive director of Haven Ministries, in March, Pamela Steffen stepped up.
-
Tax boost could bring $120G pad
The Lewisburg Area School District will seek a 3.2 percent real estate tax increase for the 2012-13 school year, the maximum allowed under the index, under a proposed budget now available for public comment.
-
Fire has burned beneath Centralia for 50 years
CENTRALIA — Fifty years ago on Sunday, a fire at the town dump ignited an exposed coal seam, setting off a chain of events that eventually led to the demolition of nearly every building in Centralia — a whole community of 1,400 simply gone.
-
'To Do': Montandon Community Days
MONTANDON - Montandon Community Days will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 26 along Railroad Street.
-
California’s Coronado named nation’s best beach
CORONADO, Calif. (AP) — Like a Hollywood star, Coronado’s 1.5 mile-long beach literally sparkles, thanks to the mineral mica glinting in its sand.
That’s one of the reasons why Coronado — flanked by the iconic hotel featured in Marilyn Monroe’s 1958 film “Some Like It Hot” — has been named the No. 1 beach in the United States in the 2012 survey by “Dr. Beach” professor Stephen P. Leatherman of Florida International University. -
Typical CEO made $9.6M last year, AP study finds
Profits at big U.S. companies broke records last year, and so did pay for CEOs.
-
Barnstorming cattle badger citizens for beer
BOXFORD, Mass. (AP) — Police say a roving group of cows crashed a small gathering in a Massachusetts town and bullied the guests for their beer.
-
'A Day in Towne' tradition draws crowds to Boalsburg
May 25--For the 148th year, Boalsburg will be the gathering place for regional families to remember all ranks of Armed Forces veterans.
-
Fired Pa. president gets more time to clear office
CALIFORNIA, Pa. (AP) — A judge has canceled a hearing to determine whether California University of Pennsylvania president Angelo Armenti can remove his personal property from his former office, because state officials have given him more time to do so.
- Weird crime of the week: Peddler in pickup scams bargain-hunting meat seeker
- More News Headlines
-
Firefighter union may char pacts
