Jan. 01--A three-alarm fire on Wednesday morning badly damaged two businesses in Aliquippa, city fire Chief Dave Foringer said.
No one was hurt in the 4:30 a.m. blaze at the Master Halco and Metalwerks companies on the 100 block of Steel Street, where first responders discovered fire blowing out of an open garage door. They retreated when explosions erupted.
"Some propane tanks were venting off inside the building," Foringer said.
He estimated as many as 70 firefighters from about 10 companies responded to the fire, bringing it under control within about three hours. A state police fire marshal was investigating a cause on Wednesday but could not be reached for comment.
Foringer said Master Halco Inc., a fencing manufacturer and distributor, took the brunt of the damage. He said its portion of the steel-pole building it shares with Metalwerks PMD Inc. will need to be demolished.
Metalwerks, a supplier of specialty metals, had smoke and some water damage but remained structurally intact, Foringer said. The businesses are separated by a partition wall.
Master Halco could not be reached. A Metalwerks representative said no one was available to comment.
Adam Smeltz is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-380-5676 or [email protected].
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