Fire Severely Damages Antiques Store in Skippack

A two-alarm blaze devastated a longstanding antiques store along Route 113 by Cressman Road in Skippack, Thursday evening. No one was injured, Skippack Fire Chief Haydn Marriott IV said.

It took about an hour for the multiple crews of area firefighters to get the blaze under control. There was already heavy smoke and fire inside when fire crews arrived, Marriot said.

The smoke poured from the roof and upper-level windows of the multi-story building, and two fire hoses blasted the flames that eventually began to escape to the roof. No surrounding structures were affected.

The homeowner, who lives on the second floor, was not home at the time. Marriott said the homeowner "has a place to stay with relatives and friends."

The chief said he believed the man's dog was safe and with neighbors.

A passerby saw the fire and called for help around 7:30 p.m., Marriott said.

The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal is investigating the cause and where the fire originated.

Crews were still on the scene at 9:30 p.m.

Skippack, Harleysville, Worcester, Perkiomen, Trappe, Lower Providence, Norristown and Upper Gwynedd fire companies were among the responders. Skippack EMS, North Penn Goodwill Service, Harleysville EMS and Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lansdale were also at the scene.