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UPDATE: Suspicious Fire Destroys Building, Closes Nearby Post Office

FREELAND – Investigators said a fire that gutted one building, damaged another and closed a post office in Luzerne County is suspicious. The early morning fire ...

FREELAND – Investigators said a fire that gutted one building, damaged another and closed a post office in Luzerne County is suspicious.

The early morning fire on Main Street in Freeland started in a vacant building, which authorities said will be demolished because it could collapse.

Theresa Bogansky said firefighters helped rescue her, her husband and her elderly mother-in-law when the fire spread next door.

"I said we got to get Bobba out here because his mother lives with us, she`s 98. And before I knew it, the firemen were through the front door and they got my mother-in-law out,” said Bogansky.

Former Freeland Councilman Robert Quinn told Newswatch 16 that he was not surprised when he found out that vacant building had caught on fire.

“I looked quick out the window, and I could see the flames already shooting through the roof,” said Quinn. "It’s just another, probably tax payer money (project) that`s going to have to go toward getting rid of this building. I just feel bad for the people next door."

Freeland Fire Chief Joe Stepansky said the borough has cleared the way for an emergency demolition, because the building is at risk of collapse.

“There was no power, no utilities; the building was vacant,” said Stepansky. “It’s suspicious at this time.”

The Freeland Post Office was shut down, but postal officials said mail was still delivered and the place should be back open Thursday.

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