NARROWSBURG - A fire broke out at Lang Enviroventures/Roto-Rooter Plumbing and Drain Service on Arena Ct. in Narrowsburg shortly after noon on Friday, June 23.

According to fireman Arthur Hawker Lava and Narrowsburg Fire Departments were alerted and upon arrival, Narrowsburg Fire Department Fire Chief, David Casey, found a working structure fire and requested initial mutual aid. After the call went out, it prompted a full response from Yulan Fire Department and Lake Huntington Fire Company, Hawker said.

One victim was treated for minor burns by emergency medical service (EMS) from Tusten Volunteer Ambulance Service, Highland Ambulance Service, and Mobilemedic EMS and transported to a nearby hospital, Hawker said. Everyone else inside at the time of the fire made it out unscathed. 

Responding units attempted to set up water supply at two local ponds, but were met with difficulties relating to access and poor water conditions, Hawker said. 

While other units established water supply at other nearby locations, Chief Casey requested ladder trucks from Callicoon Fire Department and Honesdale Fire Department, as well as tankers from Welcome Lake Fire and Rescue Inc., Beach Lake Fire Co., White Lake Fire Company, Hortonville Volunteer Fire Company, Jeffersonville Fire Department, Shohola Fire & Rescue, Lackawaxen Township Fire Department, Swan Lake Fire Dept, Lumberland Fire Dept., Glen Spey and Greeley Vol. Fire and Rescue, Hawker said. 

White Mills Fire and EMS provided an engine for standby at the Narrowsburg firehouse. Upper Delaware VAC and Lumberland Fire Dept. Glen Spey EMS were on standby and at the scene, assisting with firefighter rehab and refreshments. 

Roto-Rooter’s owner Ned Lang noted that he had no comment on the fire. Lang’s wife, Mora, said that up to three tractor-trailers inside the building were destroyed in the multiple explosions caused by the fire, with only one company truck remaining after it was saved by an employee. 

“This was my worst fear,” said 10-year veteran Roto-Rooter’s employee, Kathleen Webber, “We’re losing everything.”

In addition to the trucks, the roof of the main building was utterly destoyed.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Sullivan County Fire Investigators with aid from the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office. 

The total amount lost is yet to be determined.

More photos, page 3A.