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Firefighters Battle Homer City Fuel Storage Facility Blaze

HOMER CITY (KDKA) -- Firefighters were called to the scene of an intense two-alarm fire at the Accent Fuels storage facility in Homer City Thursday morning.

KDKA's Paul Martino Reports:

According to officials at the scene, the fire started around 3:30 a.m. on West Indiana Street in Homer City.

When firefighters arrived, the building was fully engulfed in flames.

"It was a 10, with 10 being real serious. It's a pretty big structure," Homer City Fire Department Chieft Terry Gardner said. "They stored some oil, some drums of oil and some everyday lubricant they use throughout their business. They had six or seven of their tanker trucks inside. We were lucky with it being the middle of the night, they weren't full."

Because of those substances, HAZMAT crews were also called to the scene.

"They advised me everything inside, nothing is a danger to anybody in the area and all the runoff has been contained," Gardner said.

KDKA's Paul Martino Reports:

While crews responded quickly, they did encounter a problem at one point.

"We had a water line rupture at one point and then we switched the tankers and drafting. So, we did a little rural firefighting within a hydrant area," Gardner said.

The business is located near a residential area and some families were evacuated. By daylight, many were allowed to return to their homes.

"It was a surprise, scary. We didn't know if it was going to explode or if was going to reach our house and explode. So, we just said our prayers and waited for the guys to do their job," Graham Denmon said.

Neighbors said Accent Fuels is a family-run business that has been in the community since 1998. The business sells home heating oil and propane, which is the likely source of several explosions at the scene.

There are no reported injuries and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

KDKA's Brenda Waters Reports:

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