Industrial Fire Causes $1.5 Million in Damage; Arson Ruled Out

Investigators have ruled out arson as the cause of a that torched a local machining company and caused about $1.5 million in damage, a fire official said.

Fire Chief Christopher Donovan said the fire that destroyed has been classified as an accidental fire.

"Basically what we're saying is we've ruled out an intentionally set fire," Donovan said.

The origin of the blaze was identified as a workbench area in the northwest area of the building on Shamrock Avenue. Just what caught fire in that area and how remains to be determined, Donovan said.

About 60 firefighters responded to the fire that took nearly two hours to put out. Oils and liquid fuel inside the building rapidly accelerated the blaze and sent into the air that could be seen for miles.

Southwest Grinding had been located in the building near the corner of Shamrock Avenue and Huntington Drive since 1967, according to its owner.

Donovan said the investigation into the cause of the fire could take several more weeks.