SHAMOKIN, Pa. — Nearly a dozen residents are displaced, and two businesses are closed for the foreseeable future after a structure fire here in downtown Shamokin.
Members of the Shamokin fire Bureau worked this scene for almost 4 hours Wednesday on East Independence Street. The fire broke out around 4 p.m.
"The fire chief got here right away and automatically called for a second alarm because of the size of the building and the businesses. The fire itself was knocked down. Within 20-25 minutes, it was under control," said Stephen Jeffrey, Shamokin Fire Chief.
No firefighters or people who lived in the apartments above the businesses where the fire started were hurt.
The Red Cross was on the scene assisting the people who were displaced.
"We got a call actually my daughter was going to get gas, and she called me, and she's like 'mom, the back of the restaurant is on fire. There's flames everywhere,'" said Chrissy Geiswite, OIP General Manager.
Chrissy Geiswite is the general manager at the Original Italian Pizza and restaurant, which had customers inside when the fire started.
"There were customers in the building. Our dayshift workers were in the building. Everyone got out safely. They evacuated out the back, and they evacuate it out front," said Geiswite.
With just a few days left till Christmas, The restaurant announced on Facebook it will be closed until further notice.
"The back ceiling is collapsed there is a lot of work that Hass to be done before they can get back in," said Candy Gallina, OIP Owner.
"It hurts; I mean, we have a lot of her regular customers that get food for their families over the holiday weekend," said Geiswite.
Geiswite says the Shamokin community has already proven to be very supportive and that they will definitely be open again.
"Everybody looks out for each other, so once we are back up and running, I'm sure that they'll be pouring in," said Geiswite.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Crews returned Thursday morning to continue looking through the damage.
Newswatch 16 stopped by Original Italian Pizza on East Independence Street in Shamokin Thursday and found multiple contractors trying to assess the damage from Wednesday's fire.
There is no word on when the businesses here in Northumberland County can reopen.
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