One of the worst fires ever encountered by firefighters from Carbon County burned Palmerton’s well-known Segel’s By the Bridge department store to the ground last night and severely gutted the adjoining Shipe Hardware Store and an unoccupied house to its rear.

The blaze, battled by several hundred firefighters from 18 companies, raged for nearly six hours and at times threatened the entire block before firefighters were able to bring it under control.

Fire officials said this morning it is very difficult to determine a damage estimate. However, we have placed it in the $400,000 neighborhood, pending the arrival of insurance adjusters.

At least 12 people were treated at the Palmerton Hospital for smoke inhalation while several firefighters were partially overcome by the dense smoke, but refused medical attention.