A four-alarm fire heavily damaged the roof of the former Diamond Fire Company headquarters in Walnutport on Sunday afternoon.

The blaze, which broke shortly after noon, drew response from at least a dozen fire companies from several different counties.Crews on the scene said nobody was injured and the building, located at the intersection of Main and Washington streets, is now used only as a barroom. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.“We're not really sure what happened, it's a little early for that,” said Walnutport Fire Chief John Kirchner. “It looks like it started somewhere between the second and third floor. The wind just took the fire and raced it through the entire roof. There was a lot of heavy timber and we just tried to get everyone in place to try and get the fire knocked down.”Firefighters spent around an hour before completely knocking down the flames. Strong winds created a problem as crews attacked the fire. “There is a heat vent on the third floor and the wind was heavy north to south,” Kirchner said. “It just took the fire and spread it real fast. That is the challenge we deal with on days like today.”While the three-story structure is technically Diamond Fire Company's social quarters, events such as bingo are held next door.The second floor of the building used to be the social hall, Kirchner explained.He expected crews to be on the scene for several hours, but worried about a potential roof collapse.“It appears to be caving in,” he said. “We cut holes in the second floor trying to let the water through so there isn't as much weight there. I hope the building doesn't have to come down, but it's a possibility.”Neighbors and onlookers flocked to the scene with cameras in hand.The crowd was increased by the Carbon Model Railroad Society Fall Train Meet being held at the new social hall just down Main Street.“It was really cooking when it started,” said Emily Barnette, who stood just across the street. “The flames were pouring through the roof. They did a great job getting it out as quick as they did. It's a shame because it's a real landmark in the community.”According to the Fire Company's website, it purchased the land in 1902 for $601.Construction began in 1910 and at the time it was one of the largest firehouses in the state.The first meeting was held on site in 1911.“Electricity to the company was furnished by the Citizens Electric, Light, Heat & Power Company of Walnutport, which was located between the Lehigh River and the canal, north of Main Street, at a cost of fifty cents a month,” according to the website.The new social hall was built in 1977 and the new fire station opened in 1992. 

Photo gallery from the incident: http://www.tnonline.com/gallery/walnutport-fire

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