Lackawanna's Abbott Road fire station was shut down Thursday as the city attempts to douse a stunning rise in fire department overtime costs.
The city fire department spent over $60,000 in overtime pay last month, following a trend that was brought to light by an audit from the State Comptroller's office.
From August 2011 through July 2012, fire department overtime expenditures totaled $511,000, $211,000 above the budgeted amount.
Some new department hires are expected to help alleviate staffing problems, which have been partly to blame for excessive overtime.
The Abbott Road fire station is expected to re-open.