A state police fire marshal has ruled that a May 25th fire at a business and apartment in Clymer was accidental in nature and due to an electrical malfunction.
Firefighters from Clymer, Cherryhill Township. Commodore, Indiana, and Marion Center, the Hope fire company from Cambria County, and Indiana County’s rapid intervention teams were on the scene at 425 Franklin Street for almost five hours.
The blaze was confined to the upstairs apartment, which was severely damaged. Fire Marshal Seth Helman estimated the damage at $100,000. The woman who lived there, 58-year-old Ruth Ann Kowalski, escaped uninjured. The building is owned by Anthony Zook of Altoona, who previously operated Tony’s Small Engine Repair there.
Firefighters were able to save The Antique and Gift Emporium and its merchandise, in the downstairs portion of the building, with relatively little damage.
