Building deemed total loss in fire
Early morning blaze destroys Phil’s Garage in Tyrone

In this photo from the Neptune Fire Department’s Facebook page, firefighters battle an early morning fire at Phil’s Garage, Tyrone, on Wednesday. Courtesy photo
From Mirror staff reports
An early morning New Year’s Day commercial building fire destroyed Phil’s Garage, an automotive repair shop at the 2100 block of Lincoln Avenue in Tyrone Borough.
The building was deemed a total loss but no injuries were reported, according to online reports from various fire departments. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Crews from multiple counties were called to the scene at 6:08 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Neptune Fire Department’s Facebook page.
The Tyrone Blazing Arrow Fire Department, Neptune Fire Department, Bald Eagle Fire Department, Excelsior Fire Department and the Warriors Mark Fire Department in Huntingdon County were the first to be called to the fire, according to the post.
While firefighters were responding to their stations, Blair County 911 updated first responders with multiple reports of heavy fire and smoke showing from the building.
Crews deployed a single handline using tank water while another part of the crew established their own water supply with a nearby hydrant, according to the post.
A fire truck took a defensive position in the parking lot area to operate an elevated master stream while other crews deployed a second hardline and set up dual aerial master stream operations, the post states, noting defensive operations were used because of heavy fire conditions and the building’s integrity decreasing.
During the operation, the hydrant system quickly became taxed, forcing the operation to switch to a tanker shuttle-style operation. Several tankers from Pincroft, Bellwood, Sinking Valley, Alexandria, Warriors Mark, Philipsburg and Greenwood fire departments were brought in to assist the crews.
According to the post, crews operated for several hours before extinguishing the blaze.