Fire rips through Newark's Plassche Lumber

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A 911 call from a neighbor reporting flames showing at 1539 Route 88 North sent firefighters to the Plassche Lumber Co., around 8:20 Friday night.

Within 10 minutes, Newark firefighters were on the scene and were pouring water on the building. The fire had a head start and was threatening the house next door, occupied by a mother and son in an upstairs apartment, who had called 911.

According to firefighters, the availability of water hydrants was a key factor in saving not only the building next door, but the lumber warehouse behind the Plassche store. Firefighters estimate that more than 176,000 gallons of water was used to fight the blaze, just outside the village limits. Newark truck 'Tower 4' pumped up to 1300 gallons a minute into the inferno.

The stubborn blaze was fought by Newark, East Palmyra, Fairville, Marbletown and Lyons volunteer firefighter, who provided assistance at the scene, or stood by at Newark Fire headquarters on East Miller St. Lyons Fire Department sent their aerial ladder to fire scene.

Firemen were called back early Saturday morning due to a rekindle. All that is left now is a pile of debris.

Newark's Plassche Lumber has been at that location for more than 20 years and is one of a chain of small area lumber yards owned by the Plassche brothers. Lumber and plywood is handled, as well as hardware and a full line of other building supplies.

An employee of the firm said they plan to rebuild and will conduct business as early as next week, from the warehouse directly behind the burned-out building. A contractor was hired to remove all the charred building debris as soon as fire inspectors complete their work.

Cathy O'Connor (Cathy's Arts & Crafts Co-op) rents space on the first floor of the building next door, which suffered no damage.

(Story and photos by John Zornow)

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