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CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Derry Township fire chief worried about how road closure will impact response time
Route 217 in Derry Township is a major throughway between Derry Borough and Blairsville, but part of that road that sits over a small creek has been completely closed by PennDOT for a bridge rehabilitation. And while work on the bridge was needed, Derry Township Fire Chief Mark Piantine says that a full closure of the road and the detour to get around it could tack on an extra 15 minutes for emergency crews responding to a call. Chief Piantine says he wasn't consulted by PennDOT about the major road closure in his township. He says he didn't even know it was happening until signs went up warning drivers of the closure back in late May. "We are the last ones to know, but we're the first ones to go if something happens," Chief Piantine said. The closure on Route 217 is centered around a small bridge that is being rehabilitated between Ankney Road and Hillside Road. And though that closure only extends about a half a mile, Chief Piantine says the detours to get around the small stretch take miles on narrow county roads that traverse active train crossings. It's not something you want when trying to respond to an emergency quickly. The good news for Derry Township residents is that volunteer fire companies in Blairsville and Black Lick are aware of the closure and ready to respond to that part of Derry to give Chief Piantine's crews time to arrive. Plus, nearby companies from Unity Township are also in the know on this and are able to back up Derry should the need arise. Still, Piantine says he wishes he would have been consulted initially. PennDOT said in a statement: "During the design of the Project, local stakeholders were informed of the plans and detour information in August of 2024, and at that time no concerns were received." They also said that "Performing this work under detour provides for a higher quality product that can be performed safer and in a shorter timeframe." The work on 217 is slated to be completed, weather pending, by Independence Day weekend. PennDOT shared these detours: Route 217 (Millwood Street, Blairsville Road, Walnut Street) Route 22/119 (Pittsburgh-Blairsville -Buffalo Highway) Route 982 (New Derry Road) Route 1041 (Chestnut Street) Route 217 (Fourth Street, Millwood Street)
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Overnight fire heavily damages 'haunted' Windham Restaurant
Fire heavily damaged a popular Windham restaurant overnight Wednesday. The fire at Windham Restaurant was reported about 1 a.m. to Derry Fire Department's communications center by a 911 caller. As that call was coming in, employees of a McDonald's across the street also reported the restaurant at 59 Range Road ablaze. Firefighters found heavy flames in the rear of the building on arrival and additional crews from nearby Salem, Derry, Londonderry and Pelham were called in. A second alarm was soon struck, bringing in mutual aid from Nashua, Hampstead and Hudson. The Southeastern New Hampshire Hazardous Materials Mutual Aid District Rehab Unit was also requested to the scene. Crews from Methuen, Massachusetts, and Atkinson provided station coverage. The fire was concentrated within the kitchen area, including the kitchen's walk-in freezer, fire officials said. There was also heavy fire damage reported to the exterior of the building. Fire crews were able to keep the fire from spreading to the main portion of the building, including a newly-renovated area for entertainment. The majority of the building suffered smoke and light water damage, Windham fire officials said. No one was in the building at the time of the fire and there were no reported injuries. The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal's Office was contacted and is investigating the origin and cause of the blaze. The Windham Restaurant, considered a historic local landmark, has been serving the community for more 22 years, but long before it became a restaurant the site was part of a working farm dating back to 1729. The Colonial-style home that houses the restaurant today was built in 1812, and was once owned by the Dinsmore family. Popular legend has it that the site is haunted, with the New England Ghost Project reporting sightings of a young boy, a young girl, a spirit named 'Jacob' and tales of dishes flying off shelves, chairs moving and boxes wrapped like Christmas presents being stacked by an unknown entity. Attempts to reach restaurant ownership Wednesday morning were unsuccessful. pfeely@
