Pocono News Section

Blaze Destroys Benner Amusements Building

Blaze Destroys Benner Amusements Building - Monday, December 22, 2008 at 5:37PM EST

Middleburg, Snyder County-

It was a battle of fire and ice for firefighters in Middleburg on Sunday.

A massive blaze destroyed a storage building that housed thousands of dollars worth of carnival equipment and furniture.

The building was used by Benner’s Amusements, a family-owned business well-known on both the local and state-wide carnival and fair circuits.

Dozens of firefighters attacked the blaze from all sides, even pumping in water from a nearby pond. But we’re told it was a tough battle.

Investigators say high winds were a major factor in spreading the fire quickly throughout the entire building, even causing the roof to collapse.

A fire marshal was on scene Sunday, but says he hasn’t yet determined the cause of the blaze.

The building’s heat was turned off, but there was working electricity.

Thankfully, no one was injured.

Family members say the building was insured, but they don’t know about all the equipment inside.

Investigators say the fire doesn’t appear suspicious. They expect to know more about the cause of the blaze by the end of the week.