Brian Damage
03-08-2010, 01:31 AM
GROVE CITY, Pa. -- A historic Pennsylvania metal forge that made ashtrays for the German airship the Hindenburg has been destroyed by a fire.
Thick smoke and heavy flames could be seen for miles as firefighters doused the flames that tore through the Wendell August Forge in Grove City on Saturday afternoon.
Firefighters from three different counties had to be called to the scene just after 1:30 p.m. to help as the flames grew more intense.
The Wendell August Forge had been in business since 1932 in Grove City, in the heart of scenic western Pennsylvania. Its building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Wendell August produces heirloom-quality personalized metal pieces. It says it made ashtrays for a 1936 Hindenburg flight and did custom work for Coca-Cola and Walt Disney.
The owner told Channel 4 Action News that the fire started in the metal workshop where lacquer was sprayed on bronze pieces.
“Somehow something in there ignited and the structure was built in 1932 and it just went up really quickly,” said owner and president of the company, Will Knecht.
As the fire spread, all employees and customers were able to escape unharmed.
After the fire was under control, crews spent hours hosing down hotspots that kept flaring up.
The building is a total loss but Knecht said that they will rebuild.
“Make no mistake. There will be a next phase here in Grove City. We will rebuild, we will be better than ever. We will continue to hand craft our product right here in Grove City, no ifs and or buts about it,” Knecht said. “Today a chapter ends, but tomorrow a new chapter begins.”
Its business operations outside the Grove City location will also continue.
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/22765055/detail.html?hpt=T2
Thick smoke and heavy flames could be seen for miles as firefighters doused the flames that tore through the Wendell August Forge in Grove City on Saturday afternoon.
Firefighters from three different counties had to be called to the scene just after 1:30 p.m. to help as the flames grew more intense.
The Wendell August Forge had been in business since 1932 in Grove City, in the heart of scenic western Pennsylvania. Its building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Wendell August produces heirloom-quality personalized metal pieces. It says it made ashtrays for a 1936 Hindenburg flight and did custom work for Coca-Cola and Walt Disney.
The owner told Channel 4 Action News that the fire started in the metal workshop where lacquer was sprayed on bronze pieces.
“Somehow something in there ignited and the structure was built in 1932 and it just went up really quickly,” said owner and president of the company, Will Knecht.
As the fire spread, all employees and customers were able to escape unharmed.
After the fire was under control, crews spent hours hosing down hotspots that kept flaring up.
The building is a total loss but Knecht said that they will rebuild.
“Make no mistake. There will be a next phase here in Grove City. We will rebuild, we will be better than ever. We will continue to hand craft our product right here in Grove City, no ifs and or buts about it,” Knecht said. “Today a chapter ends, but tomorrow a new chapter begins.”
Its business operations outside the Grove City location will also continue.
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/22765055/detail.html?hpt=T2