Fire destroys sawmill in northwestern Berks

Fire destroys sawmill in northwestern Berks

A building at a Bethel Township sawmill went up in flames Tuesday. Crews were called about 11:15 a.m. to Ritchie Logging & Sawmill, 9340 Old Route 22, for a report of a structure fire. The first crew to arrive reported the building was fully aflame, said Jay Zimmerman, Bethel Fire Company assistant chief. They needed only about 30 minutes to put out the bulk of the flames but spent about three hours more putting out hot spots and mopping up, he …