OLD FORGE — A second-alarm fire leveled a commercial building on Oak Street early Saturday morning following a second-floor collapse.
Firefighters called to 307 Oak St. just before 1 a.m. found the building engulfed in flames and worked for hours to protect adjacent structures.
A two alarm fire destroyed Lease Cleaners on Oak Street in Old Forge early on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. As firefighters were fighting the blaze, the second floor of the building collapsed into the first floor. (Submitted/Courtesy Chris Dolan)
A two alarm fire destroyed Lease Cleaners on Oak Street in Old Forge early on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. As firefighters were fighting the blaze, the second floor of the building collapsed into the first floor. (Submitted/Courtesy Chris Dolan)
A two alarm fire destroyed Lease Cleaners on Oak Street in Old Forge early on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. As firefighters were fighting the blaze, the second floor of the building collapsed into the first floor. (Submitted/Courtesy Chris Dolan)
A two alarm fire destroyed Lease Cleaners on Oak Street in Old Forge early on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. As firefighters were fighting the blaze, the second floor of the building collapsed into the first floor. (Submitted/Courtesy Chris Dolan)
The building, which housed Lease Dry Cleaning, is a total loss.
Old Forge Fire Chief Mark Tagliaterra said the building’s second floor collapsed into the first while crews were fighting the blaze, creating additional hazards for neighboring properties.
Firefighters noted low water pressure from the scene’s hydrants forced crews to request water tankers from surrounding departments.
Tagliaterra called the blaze the worst the borough has seen in several years. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
In addition to Old Forge, responding fire departments included Scranton, Duryea, Chinchilla, Covington Township, Newton/Ranson, Elmhurst, Roaring Brook Township, and Springbrook.