Fire marshal: Unity Township public-works fire was arson

A fire that destroyed the Unity public works building and caused millions in damage has been ruled an arson, according to state police.

The Monday fire, which destroyed seven snowplow trucks along with backhoes and sweepers , caused an estimated $4 million to $5 million in damage, according to Trooper Seth Helman, a fire marshal.

The cement block public works building, which cost $1.8 million to build in 2004, did not have a fire-suppression system. Township Supervisor Mike O'Barto, who was a supervisor when it was constructed, said the state building code at the time did not require such a system. The following year, the state adopted the Uniform Construction Code, which does require one.

Insurance is expected to cover lease of a temporary space to house remaining township equipment and whatever is borrowed, with the former school bus garage on Route 981 and a hangar at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport among locations being considered.

Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-850-2862, pvarine@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MurrysvilleStar.