A trout hatchery business on the east side of Jim Thorpe has been destroyed following a fire early Sunday morning.

The borough fire department responded at 3:30 a.m. to the Sand Spring Trout Hatchery, located at 324 Sand Spring Road, Leisureland, behind the Immaculate Conception Cemetery.Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a working structure fire at the property owned by the Wernett family, where they raised trout and housed supplies and equipment, according to borough fire Chief Bill Diehm."The location was a little out of the way on a dirt road, which was snow-covered and very slick," Diehm said. "The borough road crew had to come to cinder so we could get up the hill to supply water due to the remote area of the building."Diehm said firefighters were able to knock the fire down within about a half-hour to 45 minutes, but remained on scene until around 6:30 a.m.He said the building was a total loss, as were the trout that were inside at the time.No firefighters were injured as they battled the fire amid icy conditions, Diehm said."Everybody was a little cold," he said.Diehm said a wood burner inside the building is believed to be the cause of the fire, but noted that the fire marshal will make the final determination.Also assisting at the scene were the Franklin and Mahoning Township fire departments, as well as Penn Forest Township Fire Company No. 1, he said.