Allegheny, Beaver Fire Crews Battle Fire At Steel Manufacturing Company In Ambridge
AMBRIDGE, Pa. (KDKA) -- An early morning fire ripped through a steel facility in Ambridge Saturday morning.
"The thing was blazing. It was so hot you couldn't stand across the street from it," witness Kevin Morrison said.
That's when the Ambridge Fire Chief Rob Gottschalk says the Sukup Steel Structures facility went up in flames. The blaze was right across the street from the fire department.
"I walked down here and saw the flames shooting out. There were only a few fire trucks here," witness Pete Galvan said.
Chief Gottschalk said about 8-12 people were inside at the time of the fire and were able to make out. It quickly spread the length of the building which runs from 11th street to 14th Street. According to the chief, water pressure was an issue
"Once we got water flowing and we called tankers in from numerous communities, then we were able to hit it the way we wanted it," Chief Rob Gittschalk said.
The heat also proved to be a problem, as crews worked for several hours to put out the flames. More than a dozen companies from around Beaver and Allegheny County were called to the scene.
"To resupply the guys that were here fighting the fire from the get-go," Chief Gottschalk said at the fire scene.
Parts of the building's roof and structure collapsed. The chief called this a tough break for the community, as the plant employs about 100 people.
"This company here was one of our biggest companies, and yes it's a terrific blow to the borough of Ambridge," Chief Gottachalk said.
Now as for the cause of this fire, the chief said it may take a few days to figure it out. They still have to talk to employees and managers with the plant.
Sukup Steel Structures parent company provided this statement:
"As a family-owned business, first and foremost we are relieved that no employees were injured in this fire. We will be communicating instructions directly with employees and assessing damage to the property."
