TREMONT - An intentionally lit fire damaged a former business on the borough's main street early Tuesday morning.
Firefighters from Tremont were called to 5-7 W. Main St. at 3:34 a.m., according to the Schuylkill County Communications Center.
Tremont fire Chief James Koppenhaver said arriving firefighters found fire to the rear of the buildings.
He said flames went up the side of all three floors of the building and into the eaves before being brought under control in about 20 minutes.
Damage was kept mainly to the outside rear of the buildings with minimal fire extension in the eaves to the roof, the chief said.
State police fire marshal Trooper John F. Burns was at the scene later Thursday morning and determined the fire was intentionally set.
"It was arson," Koppenhaver said.
Koppenhaver said the buildings are owned by Russell Reinhole, Donaldson, and were unoccupied at the time of the fire.
The chief said that several years ago the building was home to Tri-Valley Pharmacy that has since stopped operation in the borough.
In addition to damage to the Reinhole buildings, Koppenhaver said a building at 3 W. Main St. sustained minor damage to exterior siding.
Koppenhaver said quick action by firefighters was instrumental in keeping the fire from spreading and no injuries were reported.
"Everybody did their job and they did it good," the chief said.
Called in to assist Tremont firefighters were volunteers from Donaldson, Hegins, Pine Grove, Pine Grove Township, Reilly Township and Pottsville along with area EMS units and fire police.
A Rapid Intervention Team from Pottsville was also at the scene in the event a firefighter would get injured or trapped fighting the fire.
Anyone with information on the person or persons responsible for starting the fire is asked to call state police at Frackville at 570-874-5300 or Tremont police through the Schuylkill County Communications Center.