Fire Destroys Septic Company's Office Building Near Albany, New York

A fire on March 19 destroyed a building belonging to John Van Wormer Septic Systems in Guilderland, New York, near the Schenectady-Albany County line.

According to The Daily Gazette, no injuries occurred as a result of the fire, which destroyed a garage and an auxiliary office building dedicated to owner John Van Wormer’s other business, Big John’s Portable Toilets. Meanwhile, the company’s main building appeared to be intact, reporters say.

Altamont Deputy Fire Chief Bo Miller tells The Daily Gazette that the portables office building was a total loss and firefighters had problems getting water to the site.

“The closest hydrant had very little pressure into it, so we were using tankers to supply water,” Miller tells the newspaper.

Multiple fire departments responded to the scene, according to Miller. He tells reporters at the Times Union that smoke and flames were visible in the garage when the departments started to arrive and that the structure contained tanks with propane and other fuels.

“There were two vehicles inside and a lot of other stuff including the tanks,” Miller tells the Times Union. “We were worried, but nothing exploded.”

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

The Daily Gazette also posted this gallery of images taken at the scene of the blaze.

John Van Wormer Septic Systems has served the capital region of New York since 1957, offering both commercial and residential services. Van Wormer has 52 years experience as a septic installer and excavating contractor.



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