PA Printer Suffers Complete Loss in Fire
INDIANA, PA—The third-generation owner of a printing plant here is faced with the task of completely rebuilding his business after a Tuesday fire ripped through the facility, requiring the work of 13 fire departments to get the blaze under control.
The fire, which started around 8:30 a.m., ignited in one of six printing presses at Creps United Publications, according to the Indiana Gazette. Employees attempted to put out the fire with extinguishers but were quickly forced to evacuate the building. It was fully involved when the first firefighters responded just minutes after receiving the call.
Fueled by paper rolls, ink, solvent and other chemicals, which caused periodic explosions, temperatures soared past 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit at the roof and the steel structure began to wilt, causing walls to bow and part of the roof to cave in, the newspaper reported.
Although the fire was under control within hours, it continued to burn late into the afternoon.
No employees were injured, but four firefighters had to be transported to a local hospital. The extent of their injuries were not revealed. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Jack Creps, an owner of the company, speculated that four of the presses may be salvageable, but that damages were still being assessed. He told the Gazette that his shop is fully insured and that the plans are to rebuild.
Creps United, which employs about 180 workers, specializes in full-color newspaper advertising inserts. The tragedy comes on the eve of the holiday shopping season, one of the busiest times of the year. Jack Creps was working to farm out orders to other printers.
