Pocono News Section

Fiery Explosion Claims Saylorsburg Business

Fiery Explosion Claims Saylorsburg Business - Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 11:15PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Saturday, Oct 24, 2009 @ 11:15pm EDT
SAYLORSBURG, MONROE COUNTY -- A fiery explosion this evening claimed a family business in Monroe County. It happened at BorgerÕs Garage and Blue Mountain Speedway on Old Route 115 in Saylorsburg.

This smoking pile of rubble used to be Glenn Borger's Garage. He built it nearly 40 years ago. Saturday evening - it exploded. "My income - my life. Everything I had was in there. All of our tools. Everything," said Borger.

Borger lives next door to his business. He said he heard something strange around 5:00. "Just an explosion. Just a boom," he added.

He ran to the window and saw flames destroy his life's work.

Warren Keiper worked in the garage for 24 years. "It's been my life you know," he said.

He rushed there as soon as he heard about the fire. "Don't really know what to think yet - You know - I don't have a job," he added.

Warren and Glenn didn't just lose their jobs, they lost a place they called a second home. But despite the smoking pile of rubble, they are thankful. "I'm just thankful the fire company got here and nobody was hurt," said Borger.

While a fire marshal tries to figure out what happened here, Borger said he'll figure out whether he wants to rebuild or retire.

And Borger said this could have been much worse. He had a go kart race scheduled Saturday evening with hundreds of people expected to attend. But the event was rained out.