Firefighters from the Aquashicola Fire Co. battled a stubborn brush fire Wednesday evening on the property of the Alliance Sand Co. along Gulf Road. Firefighters were hampered by gaining access to the site due to a locked gate. Palmerton police were the first responders acting on a report of smoke billowing from the scene. They had to walk in to gain access to the site. The smoke could be seen by motorists traveling SR248. The Bowmanstown Fire Company assisted at the scene.