McFarland & Sons Garage Inc., in Lehighton, Pa., and an upstairs apartment was destroyed by fire Sunday, June 12, after state police said a driver suspected of driving under the influence struck a nearby power pole at about 3 a.m., which collapsed onto the building. Troy and Kyle McFarland, who own the business, have resumed service and repair operations across the street at their other business, McFarland Auto Sales, until the building can be replaced.
"A lot of memory loss," Troy McFarland, co-owner of McFarland & Sons Garage Inc., told a WFMZ-TV reporter. "It was my livelihood for 30-plus years."
The company has been passed down for generations since its founding 58 years ago.
"Words can't describe," Co-owner Kyle McFarland told the reporter. "It's sad to see it."
A Facebook fundraiser and GoFundMe page have been set up for the family of Charles and Zuleika Mest, who with their two children barely got out of their apartment before the entire building went up in flames.
