Pennsylvania Firefighters Battle Fire at Historic Hersheypark Arena

Stubborn roof fire and hot weather cause multiple alarms.
Fire shoots out of the roof of the Hershey Park Arena as fire crews battle a five-alarm blaze Thursday, July 5, 2012. Hershey spokesman Jim Shellenberger says workers were putting a new roof on the domed building, but it's unclear if the work had anything to do with the fire. He says the roof isn't in danger of collapse. (AP Photo/Lebanon Daily News, Jeremy Long)
Published Thursday, July 5, 2012

HERSHEY, Pa. (AP) — Fire has damaged the roof of the historic Pennsylvania arena where Wilt Chamberlain scored an NBA record 100 points in a game.

Officials say the flames erupted Thursday afternoon at the 75-year-old Hersheypark Arena in Derry Township.

The facility is owned by Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, founded when Milton S. Hershey separated his chocolate manufacturing from his other businesses.

Hershey spokesman Tim Shellenberger says workers were putting a new roof on the domed building, but it's unclear if that caused the fire. He says the roof isn't in danger of collapse.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze after about two hours. Some emergency workers were treated for heat exhaustion.

The arena opened in 1936. Chamberlain scored 100 points there for the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962.

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Pennsylvania Firefighters Battle Fire at Historic Hersheypark Arena

Stubborn roof fire and hot weather cause multiple alarms.
Fire shoots out of the roof of the Hershey Park Arena as fire crews battle a five-alarm blaze Thursday, July 5, 2012. Hershey spokesman Jim Shellenberger says workers were putting a new roof on the domed building, but it's unclear if the work had anything to do with the fire. He says the roof isn't in danger of collapse. (AP Photo/Lebanon Daily News, Jeremy Long)


Fire shoots out of the roof of the Hershey Park Arena as fire crews battle a multi-alarm blaze Thursday, July 5, 2012. In the background people continue to ride Skyrush, Hershey Park's newest rollercoaster. Hershey spokesman Jim Shellenberger says workers were putting a new roof on the domed building, but it's unclear if the work had anything to do with the fire. He says the roof isn't in danger of collapse. (AP Photo/Lebanon Daily News, Jeremy Long)