Family Dollar Store Blaze Ruled Arson

Firefighters from eight companies responded to a two-alarm fire at the Family Dollar Store, 1624 Lincoln Highway East, shortly after 6 p.m. Thursday August 7, 2003.

It took nearly 75 firefighters about 20 minutes to contain the blaze, which started near the back of the store in a clothing rack . Two men standing in the parking lot grabbed fire extinguishers and ran inside the building after two employees ran out of the store yelling “fire!

Lieutenant Scott Hershey, of Lafayette Fie Company in East Lampeter Township, was the O.I.C. of the first arriving engine, encountered a moderate smoke condition Employees reporting to him the fire was out. Several spent fire extinguishers were laying on the sidewalk.

Multiple free standing clothes racks needed to be relocated so that the line could reach it's destination. The line was advanced dry, as is customary with our incidents. I entered the building prior to the line crew in order to determine what type, and length of line would be needed.

Lieutenant Hershey entered the building prior to the line crew in order to determine what type, and length of line would be needed and give an initial size-up.. A small fire was located in shelves of clothing in the rear corner of the store. Hershey returned to the exit to meet his attack crew.

Upon returning inside the building, the fire was rolling across the ceiling, and smoke was banked down to the floor, all occurring in a matter of 1 to 2 minutes. An Initial 1 3/4" line was stretched from Engine 6-3-3. Multiple free standing clothes racks had to be relocated as the firefighters weaved in and out of the store isles to reach their destination. Once the attackline was charged, and a second line from Engine 6-3-3 was advanced by the crew of Lampeter Engine 5-4-2, the fire was knocked down quickly.

The building is a former grocery store that was renovated and cut up into several businesses. When the renovation occurred, the working sprinkler system was removed. Heavy smoke traveled throughout the complex, which also included a Subway restaurant, and doctor's office. It was unlikely the store would be open for business today.

State police fire marshal Brian Herr ruled the fire, which injured two people and caused more than $140, 000 in damage, was intentionally set. Three females in the store who were accused of shoplifting returned to the store and lit the fire said fire officials.

Two people were injured in the fire. Both were taken were taken by ambulance to Community Hospital of Lancaster.

Fire Police closed both lanes of Route 462 until shortly before 8 p.m.

The Ronks, Eden, Bird-In-Hand, Witmer, Lampeter, Lancaster City, and Lancaster Township fire companies and Lancaster Emergency Medical Services Association assisted Lafayette Fire Company.