Massive Fire Engulfs, Destroys Paving Company's Maintenance Facility In Big Beaver
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BIG BEAVER (KDKA/AP) -- A massive, gas-fueled fire engulfed a business in Beaver County early Thursday morning and burned out of control for several hours.
The blaze broke out around 5 a.m. at Lindy's Paving company's maintenance building along Shenango Road in Big Beaver.
"When we got on scene, it was a gas-fed fire and the building was probably 75 percent involved at that time," said Chief Adam Crepp, Big Beaver Fire Department.
Someone driving along the Turnpike noticed the flames and called 911.
Dozens of crews were called to the scene to deal with the huge flames and billowing smoke in the frigid temperatures.
According to the fire chief with Big Beaver, a ruptured gas line inside the building caused the flames to shoot out of the facility.
"The scope of the building is there's black top equipment inside. I believe a tri-axle, a couple graters, all heavy equipment," said Chief Crepp.
A maintenance crew from Lindy Paving managed to turn the gas off within 30 minutes, but the fire continued to roar for a few hours.
Witnesses said the blaze produced heavy flames and thick, black smoke that could be seen for miles.
Despite frigid temperatures and fierce winds, no firefighters were injured while fighting the fire. A warming tent was set up for the firefighters with heaters, snacks and water.
"Honestly, you got more of a chance of somebody getting hurt falling on the ice than you do actually fighting the fire," said Chief Crepp.
WATCH: NewsChopper 2 flies over the scene --
Lindy Paving said, thankfully, no one was inside or near the building at the time of the fire.
By 8 a.m., the flames were mostly out, but large plumes of smoke were still billowing from the building.
No word yet on the cause or the financial loss for the company.
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