MILROY - Two of the three owners of a sawmill at 200 Ceder Grove Lane in Armagh Township said the fire that leveled their 90-foot-by-60-foot building strikes them as suspicious.
"I'm thankful nobody got hurt ... the fire company did a great job," Owner Christian "Crist" Speicher said.
Speicher said he thinks the fire started some time before 3 a.m. Wednesday.
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Sentinel photo by KIERNAN SCHALK
An early morning fire on Wednesday destroyed a sawmill along Naginey Road in Armagh Township. Owners Christian Speicher and D.J. Peachey say no equipment was running when the fire started.
Milroy Fire Co. Chief Jason Wolfgang said the call for the fire came in around 3 a.m. and by the time units arrived the building was fully engulfed in flames.
Wolfgang said the fire was under control by 6 a.m. and nobody was injured.
"Everyone who responded did a great job," Wolfgang said.
By 8 a.m., Speicher and D.J. Peachey, another owner, were standing by the remains of the building with some of their employees assessing the damage. Peachey said the mill employs about a dozen people.
Peachey said none of the equipment was running at the time of the fire.
Speicher said he was suspicious about the cause of the fire, given none of the equipment was running and it was a cool night.
Peachey said the owners have insurance and plan to rebuild, but he is unsure how long it will take.
Peachey said the Amish community is very supportive and when the time comes to rebuild, he suspects it will happen quickly with their help.
Peachey said the business deals primarily in hardwoods and manufactures railroad ties for several companies.
Wolfgang said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
In addition to Milroy Fire Co., Reedsville, Yeagertown Junction, Belleville, New Lancaster Valley and Centre Hall fire companies and Highland Park Hose Co. responded to the scene.
