State Police investigating Ashland fire; community shows support for M&M shop
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SENTINEL PHOTO - A pair of State Police fire marshals investigate a fire in Ashland on March 24, 2019.
By Kaylee Lindenmuth
ASHLAND – The cause of a blaze which destroyed a business and a set of five row homes along Centre Street in Ashland has yet to be determined, while the northern Schuylkill community is showing their support for those impacted.
The fire broke out around 3:40am in the 100 block of Centre Street in the borough, and was upgraded to a third alarm incident within minutes of dispatch, bringing crews from across Schuylkill, Northumberland, and Columbia Counties to the scene.
At least one firefighter was injured, reportedly suffering a sprained ankle.
Around 2:00pm, an Ashland fire engine remained at the scene, with its crew dousing hotspots within a pair of homes which had collapsed.
At the same time, a pair of State Police fire marshals with Ashland Fire Chief Phillip Groody were investigating.
A fire marshal at the scene said no cause had been determined, nothing it was “way too early to tell.”
The remaining Ashland fire engine cleared the scene by 4:00pm, and the buildings were boarded up.
Exactly Ten Years
The fire occurred ten years to the day the Kane family took over M&M Sandwich Shop, which suffered extensive damage throughout.
“We are so thankful for the first responders, community, and friends for the love we are receiving,” owners wrote in a Facebook post. “We will continue our Rolling Macaroni business, and catering, while we look for a temporary location to work in.”
Community members voiced their support in the post, with one area resident saying “You guys are a staple to Ashland and I have no doubt in my mind that, through prayer and the grace of God and with the community’s support, you guys will be back in business in no time.”
Chill Out Ice Cream Parlor in Shenandoah shared similar sentiments in their own post.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom and Lori Kane, dear friends at M&M Sandwich Shop with the devastating fire,” Chill Out wrote. “Please know we are here for you! You are two very strong, hard working people, but it always helps to know you have friends.”
Others Impacted
According to the American Red Cross, five people from four families were displaced by the fire and are being assisted.
WFMZ-TV reports that a dog perished in the blaze, and one resident has been treated for smoke inhalation.
As of 8:20pm Sunday, no fundraisers or locations for donations had been set up for the victims of the fire. If any are organized, we will share them here and on our Facebook page.
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