Two volunteer firefighters injured responding to Saturday afternoon blaze in Sandy Shore

PAUPACK TOWNSHIP, WAYNE COUNTY — Volunteer firefighters battled a fully involved structure fire Saturday, December 20, 2025 afternoon in a lakefront community near Lake Wallenpaupack, while two of their own were injured when a tanker truck crashed on icy roads rushing to the scene.

The fire broke out on Lone Oak Drive in Sandy Shore, a private community of about 200 property owners on the north shore of the lake. By the time Lakeville Volunteer Fire Company arrived, the home was fully engulfed.

Aerial views show the structure consumed by flames, fire burning through the roof and walls as crews worked to keep it from spreading to neighboring homes in the wooded development. The house was a total loss. At least one vehicle parked nearby was also destroyed.

The smoke column rose high enough to be seen for miles. Residents in Hawley and near Bridge Street in Seelyville reported seeing the plume from across the region.

Tanker crashes responding

As crews from across Wayne County raced to the scene, a tanker truck from White Mills Volunteer Fire Department lost control on icy roads. The driver and a passenger sustained minor injuries in the crash.

The wreck happened as temperatures hovered near freezing and roads remained slick from recent weather. Details on the exact location and extent of damage to the apparatus were not immediately available.

Dog found wandering

Amid the chaos, a dog believed to belong to the homeowners was found loose on Lone Oak Drive. Neighbors on social media confirmed the animal appeared to be from the home. It was unclear Saturday evening whether the dog had been reunited with its family.

No other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Five days before Christmas

The fire comes just five days before Christmas, leaving a family without a home for the holidays. The loss underscores the risks volunteer firefighters face protecting rural and seasonal communities—not just from flames, but from the hazards of responding in winter conditions.

Sandy Shore is served by Lakeville Volunteer Fire Company, an all-volunteer department that has protected Paupack Township since 1979. The company covers 34 square miles with 25 volunteer firefighters and operates a substation at Wallenpaupack Lake Estates to improve response times in the sprawling lake region.

White Mills Volunteer Fire Department, which sent the tanker involved in Saturday’s crash, has served portions of Texas, Berlin, Cherry Ridge, and Palmyra townships since 1911.

Across Pennsylvania, 69 percent of firefighters are volunteers, according to the National Fire Protection Association. These departments rely on community donations and fundraisers to maintain equipment and train members.

How to support local fire companies:

Lakeville Volunteer Fire Company
10 Daniels Road, Lakeville, PA 18438

White Mills Volunteer Fire Department
695 Texas Palmyra Highway, White Mills, PA 18473

This is a developing story. Additional details will be posted as they become available.