On Sunday morning, a two-alarm blaze destroyed the home and landscaping business of Ethan Crist at 281 River Road, just outside the borough of Jersey Shore. Luckily, no one was injured in the fire. The smoke drifted east for several miles, with some residents in the nearby Newberry neighborhood reporting that they could even smell it.
Crist, who lived alone, was not home when the fire was reported around 7:10 a.m. He kept many of his trucks and equipment on the first floor while he lived on the upper floor. Family members who lived nearby rushed to the scene, fearing that Crist might be trapped inside. However, he was out doing errands and did not have his cellphone with him.
When Crist arrived, firefighters were already battling the blaze. Joseph Mitchell, the deputy fire chief at Citizens Hose, directed operations. Firefighters initially attempted an interior attack but were forced out by the intense flames. Shortly after they exited, part of the second floor collapsed.
Volunteer firefighters from Lycoming and Clinton Counties responded to the two-alarm fire that ravaged Crist’s home and business. It was declared under control by about 8:40 a.m., with about 30 minutes remaining before full containment was achieved. A state police fire marshal will assist in determining the origin and cause of the fire
