Ukrainian Homestead building burns

LEHIGHTON, Pa. - The 100-year-old, 23-room main building at the Ukrainian Homestead here, which is owned by the Organization for the Rebirth of Ukraine (ODVU), was destroyed by fire in the early morning hours of December 1, reported the Morning Call, a local newspaper.

Damage is estimated at $200,000 to $250,000.

The building, which was built by millionaires, was the focal point of the Lehighton estate purchased by the ODVU in 1957 for $50,000.

Some 100 firemen fought the blaze which was apparently accidental. The cause of the fire is being investigated.

The 76-year-old caretaker of the Ukrainian Homestead, Ivan Popel, who lived on the second floor of the building, discovered the fire at about 4 a.m.

The building burned almost to the ground because of its wooden construction and the fact that fire fighters were hampered by a water shortage.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, December 27, 1981, No. 52, Vol. LXXXVIII

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