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Fire grows into devastating loss for area orchard
mjones@observer-reporter.com
The Wagers family for more than 100 years has sold fruit and apples from their Amwell Township orchard.
This year's harvest is in doubt, however, after a stubborn fire late Saturday afternoon destroyed three storage buildings containing farm equipment.
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Flames roared through the main barn and two storage buildings that contained two tractors, a spraying machine, cider press, water pumps and tools that were critical for the orchard. The family was able to salvage one tractor before the fire swept through the structures. Several cars that Wagers' sons and grandsons planned to repair also were lost in the inferno.
Firefighters from eight departments responded to the blaze about 4:30 p.m. when the quick-moving fire jumped from building to building on the sprawling property along Route 40 at Meyers Road.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the state police fire marshal, but Lone Pine fire Chief Van Varenberg said it appears to be an accident. Varenberg said burning trash inside a burn barrel "kind of jumped a little bit" and sparked the fire in one of the buildings.
Fire companies from Lone Pine, Amwell, South Strabane, Richeyville, Bentleyville, Ellsworth, Beallsville and Marianna prevented the blaze from reaching the Wagers' home just a few feet away. Route 40 near Old Trails Cafe was closed for several hours in both directions as fire trucks ferried water to the scene from a hydrant nearly two miles away.
Lee and Audrey Wagers planned to stay with family members Saturday night because the fire knocked out electrical and water services to their home.
The Wagers took over the orchard in 1962 after Lee Wagers' father and uncle ran the farm for years. Neighbors said the family orchard and fruit stand have been staples in the community for as long as anyone can remember.
The home is on the site where Hastings Tavern Inn was built in 1824 for people traveling along the National Road. The apple trees were planted not long after, Audrey Wagers said.
"Some of the (apple) trees were 100 years old when we came here," she said. "We've been selling apples here for a long time. But I don't think so this year."
