A fire has destroyed the McFarland garage along Route 895 in East Penn Township.

The multi-alarm fire broke out after a crash happened across the road from the facility.

The facility is reported to be a total loss.

A family of four lived above the garage and lost everything. The Red Cross is assisting the family, which includes two adults, a 15-year-old and a child in kindergarten.

McFarland and Sons Garage Inc., a family-owned garage in East Penn Township, was founded nearly six decades ago in 1964.

Calvin McFarland purchased the garage on Lizard Creek Road on March 17, 1964, where he began running the automotive repair shop and renamed it. Troy McFarland and his son Kyle have taken over the business.

The business posted today, “McFarland and Sons garage is sad to announce that last night we suffered the loss of our building in a fire. We will be moving business operations across the street to McFarland’s Auto Sales so we can continue to serve our customers. We ask that you be patient while we transition and get back up and running. If you had an appointment scheduled for this week please call McFarlands Auto Sales at 610-379-4799 so that we can reschedule appointments as needed.”

According to Times News archives, the garage employs four working mechanic and the shop’s office secretary.

In addition to the repair shop, Troy McFarland operates an auto sales lot, McFarland’s Auto Sales LLC, which sells pre-owned vehicles and is located just across the street from the garage.

They work with local townships’ maintenance vehicles, as well as service other government vehicles for fish and game commission, as well as local law enforcement and state police vehicles.

The state police fire marshal is on scene. We’ll update as information becomes available.

Family needs

The Mahoning Valley Animal Hospital has posted information about the family displaced from the fire. All donations can be dropped off at the animal hospital.

In addition to household items, the hospital is accepting clothing, shoes, non perishable food items, toys, blankets/pillows, gift cards (visa, grocery stores, restaurants), and cash.

Sizes include: 6-year-old, Adult small shirts, Husky XL pants, (14-16); size 5 shoes;

15-year-old, XL shirts, 36-38 pants, size 14 shoes, XL underwear

Mother, XL shirt, 12-14 pants, 8.5/9 shoes

Dad, 6xl shirts, 5xl pants, size 12 shoes.