Rep. Gary Day (R-Lehigh/Berks) is extremely grateful that no one was hurt in a fire on March 23 at the Star Plaza along Route 309 in New Tripoli. His district office there will be temporarily closed.
“I am truly thankful for the heroic efforts of our volunteer fire companies that responded to the scene,” Day said in a release after the fire. “Firefighting is a dangerous activity. My heartfelt appreciation goes out to all the first responders – from as many as a half-dozen volunteer companies – for serving us in our time of need. These fire professionals donate their time, which is usually 80 percent of the cost associated with the firefighting service. I try to aid and assist volunteer fire companies with every opportunity that I have.”
The fire started in the Bagel Bunch shop, which is next door to Day’s district office.
Day told Berks-Mont Newspapers that he was out at an event in Kutztown when he received the call about the fire.
“It’s a traumatic experience, whether it’s your home or your office,” said Day about going to the scene of the fire. “What I saw was six fire companies coming out to help each other and they gave such a great response. They knocked the fire down quickly. Nobody was injured… They had to go into the structure with a working fire. One company went in from the back, one came in from the front. They knocked down the fire quickly to preserve as much property as they could… We have a great system of response for fires.”
Day said the local firefighters do a great job and that is why he works hard to make sure that anything he can do for them in Harrisburg, Day tries to make their jobs easier.
“I want everyone to know, whenever you have a fire, it’s great to know that we have the backing of our local fire departments. The state codes keep us safe as well,” said Day.
As a result of the fire, Day’s office sustained both water and smoke damage and will be closed. Day set up a temporary office location at the Trexlertown Fire Company, 7723 Hamilton Blvd., Breinigsville, to serve residents of the 187th District.
The 187th District serves Lyons, Kutztown and the townships of Maxatawny, Upper Macungie, Weisenberg, Lowhill, Lynn, Heidelberg and North Whitehall in Berks and Lehigh counties.
Day encourages residents who are in need of assistance to contact his Capitol office at 717-787-3017 and send correspondence via email at gday@pahousegop.com. A variety of forms and applications are also available on his website at www.RepGaryDay.com.
