BUTLER TWP — A fire this morning at a sewer pumping station apparently caused minimal damage and did not affect service, authorities said.

Butler Township Fire District 3 volunteer firefighters quickly put out the accidental blaze at the Butler Area Sewer Authority's Rock Lick Creek pump station on Sawmill Run Road.

“We don't know for sure what caused it, but it looks like insulation around an exhaust pipe overheated,” said Dave Bestwick, assistant chief for Fire District 3.

A passing motorist just after 5:30 a.m. spotted the fire and called 911.

“You could see flames underneath the roof trying to get out,” said Butler Township Police Patrolman James Sasse.

Sewer authority officials were quick to answer the fire alarm and were there to unlock the pump station door for firefighters.

Firefighters used a hand line to douse the fire within minutes of getting in the small building that contains pumps and electrical equipment.

“It looks like it was confined to the ceiling and none of the equipment appears to be damaged,” said Bruce Grooms, BASA pump station operator, in offering his initial assessment.

He said the facility was still functioning after the fire.