Firefighters battle massive early morning fire in Cherry Township, Sullivan County. PHOTO PROVIDED

MILDRED – A massive early-morning blaze Tuesday that destroyed a very large Dushore Agway warehouse on Route 220 was fought by 70-plus volunteer firefighters for nearly two hours before it was brought under control, according to Mildred Fire Chief Sean Thibodeault.

“It’s a 100 percent loss,” he said. Nothing at all could be saved.

There were no reports of injuries, Thibodeault said. A volunteer firefighter for nearly 30 years, he said this was likely one of the biggest fires he has ever fought.

The estimated 4,000-square foot building at 8779 Route 220 in Cherry Township, about four miles west of here, was the former Precision Lumber Company, which closed several years ago, Thibodeault said.

The fire, reported about 1 a.m., was discovered by a truck driver at the site who had been asleep in his vehicle, the chief explained.

Firefighters battle massive early morning fire in Cherry Township, Sullivan County. PHOTO PROVIDED

The driver arrived late Monday night to make a delivery and was going to wait until the building opened Tuesday to off-load his cargo, Thibodeault said, adding that after being awakened by the flames, the driver called 911.

Arriving on the scene, Thibodeault faced a huge inferno.

Every volunteer fire company in Sullivan County except one was dispatched to the blaze and they were soon joined by additional resources from fire companies from Lycoming and Bradford counties.

Ladders from Dushore, Muncy Area, Montoursville and Wysox set up master stream operations around the building as numerous tankers kept them supplied with water that was shuttled from one pond on nearby Shinerville Road and another – Kast Pond – in Dushore, Thibodeault said.

The building was filled with large bales of hay, bags of wood pellets for woodstoves along with a tractor-trailer truck and several pieces, the chief said.

After the fire was contained, firefighters worked for several more hours dousing hot spots. “It will probably continue to smolder for a day or two,” Thibodeault said.

A state police fire marshal was expected to be at the scene Tuesday afternoon to try to determine the origin and cause of the fire, he said.