Published: July 11, 2009 11:47 pm      

Bedford County fire causes Route 56 detour

PLEASANTVILLE — Route 56 between here and the top of Pleasantville Mountain was closed for about three hours Saturday afternoon as fire crews battled a blaze at an abandoned house in the 2800 block of Dunkard Hollow Road, just off the state road.

Traffic was diverted to alternate routes, Bedford County 911 reported.

The house was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived at the scene, Brad Harbaugh, Alum Bank fire chief, said. It was a total loss, he said. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and a state police fire marshal is being called in, Harbaugh said.

The fire was reported at 2:40 p.m. and

Route 56 remained closed until 5:46 p.m., he said.

It occurred as the fire company was holding its 22nd annual festival and car show, the chief said.

With Alum Bank firemen also helping at the festival and with the hot summer temperatures, a number of companies were called in to provide extra manpower to assist, he said.