Volunteer firefighters at a working fire rarely are treated to something as special as ice cream, but those responding to a two-alarm pole barn fire May 15 in Wanamakers, Lynn Township, were surprised by the cold and tasty treat given them by Wanamakers General Store owner Kyra Hendricks.

According to Lynnport Fire Chief Clark Mantz, his station was toned out by Lehigh County Communications at 1:50 p.m.

A pole barn was on fire across from the parking lot of the general store at 8888 Kings Highway.

“A tractor-trailer had knocked down live wires while trying to turn around,” Mantz said. “There were wires everywhere.”

He said the pole barn fire was a result of the wires being knocked down.

They needed to wait for Met-Ed to cut the electricity before approaching the structure, Mantz said.

A Met-Ed worker arrived at the Kempton substation a little after 2 p.m. to cut the power. He returned at 5:55 p.m. to restore the electricity.

Responding to the first alarm were volunteer firefighters from Lynnport, New Tripoli, Kempton and Germansville.

Mantz called in a second alarm brining out firefighters from Weisenberg, West Penn, Schuylkill County, Slatedale, Neffs and Virginville.

“I called for additional tankers from Tri-Clover, Schnecksville, Emerald and New Ringgold, Schuylkill County,” Mantz said.

In addition, Woodlawn Fire Company, South Whitehall, responded with it cascade truck to fill air packs and its rehabilitation truck bringing water, drinks and snacks.

“Although we fought the fire from the outside, some of the firefighters wore air packs due to the smoke,” Mantz said.

Greenawalds Fire Company, South Whitehall, sent its Rapid Intervention Team, just in case something should go wrong, Mantz explained. “But, it was not safe to go inside.”

Cetronia Ambulance Corps responded and brought a rehabilitation truck.

In addition, State Police at Fogelsville, answered the call, as the driver of the tractor-trailer did not remain at the scene. The rig was last seen heading south on Route 143 (Kings Highway).

In all, Mantz estimates some 75 firefighters responded to the scene.

As firefighters were battling this fire, a call to Lehigh County Communications reported a working house fire in Washington Township at the same time.

“I released some of the tankers and other equipment to respond to that fire,” Mantz said.

Lynnport firefighters finally returned to their station around 6 p.m.

When the fire was extinguished, Doug Robertson of Kempton brought his excavator to the scene to cover all the debris and level the site.

“I want to say thank you to all the firefighters who came out and to Wanamakers General Store owner Kyra Henricks for the drinks and ice cream,” Mantz said. “That set a new standard in rehabilitation.

“We don’t get ice cream when we go to a fire.”