LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)– State Police released new details about the fire that broke out at Freys Pallets in Lancaster County on Tuesday afternoon.

A State Police Fire Marshal determined the fire started from a burn barrel on the property that employees were using to burn scraps of wood, according to a State Police spokesperson. It was ruled accidental.

The wind, combined with the thousands of dry wood pallets, contributed to the rapid growth and intensity of the fire, State Police say.

About three acres, including two pole barns, were burned by the fire, and State Police stated the fire marshal determined the estimated loss to be about $600,000. A fire truck was also reportedly damaged by the fire.

Several firefighters reportedly had minor burns from the high intensity of the heat.

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Smoke could be seen for miles most of the afternoon as over 50 different crews responded to the three-alarm fire that broke out around 3:12 p.m.

At first, it was reported there was a “trash fire” but as crews responded a large column of smoke could be seen and there was a report that a large area of pallets was burning.

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Traffic was gridlocked for hours, as crews had the area closed off throughout most of the afternoon and well into the later evening.

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