GROVE CITY —
The damage from the weekend blaze that destroyed part of Grove City's Gear Custom Products was so extensive that the cause has been ruled undetermined.
"It was pretty quick to determine we'll never be able to figure out what caused that fire," Trooper Luke Nelson, state fire marshal out of the Pennsylvania State Butler barracks, said Thursday.
Nelson on Monday investigated the screen-printing business at 110 Third St., which went up in flames the night of Dec. 22.
An unnamed resident who lives nearby was out walking their dog when he or she smelled something burning, followed the scent until seeing smoke and flames coming from the back of the Gear Custom building and called 911, he said.
"To the ground it's gone," Nelson said of the rubble and caved-in roof that remains. "There's nothing to work with."
The structure that burned included three connected buildings that housed materials like banners, signs and T-shirts and screen-printing equipment.
The fire likely started somewhere in the middle of that space, but the building is a "complete loss," Nelson said, adding there were no known problems with the equipment.
Everything had been working fine on Dec. 21, when the last employee left Gear Custom for the weekend. No one was inside the building when the fire began.
No one was hurt in the four-alarm fire that at least 13 departments battled, and Nelson said there was no evidence of suspicious activity like a break-in or arson.
There was insurance on the property, which also includes a separate office building for Gear Custom staff --- they declined comment Monday morning.
The business is owned by John Ayers, who is vacationing in Florida. He has said he plans to rebuild.
A damage estimate wasn't immediately available.
Published Dec. 29, 2012, in Allied News. Pick up a copy at 201 A Erie St., Grove City.
Local News
Related Photos
-
The damage from the weekend blaze that destroyed part of Grove City's Gear Custom Products was so extensive that the cause has been ruled undetermined. Monica L. Pryts
Discussion
Marshal: Fire damage too extensive to determine cause
- Local News
-
-
'Hiding in plain sight'
What's in a name?
A lot, when you're trying to hide your Jewish background during the Holocaust to escape certain death. -
Joden wins Vegas cover with vintage coral jewelry
Joden Jewelers in downtown Grove City is making headlines among its peers -- again.
-
Laying green groundwork
Award-winning green architect and Slippery Rock University graduate Robert Kobet returned to his alma mater Thursday to share his success stories and help lay the same groundwork for SRU.
-
Businesses take stock after blaze
Business owners affected by Wednesday's fire in Sandy Lake are in the throes of how they will rebuild their livelihoods.
-
SR library gets grant, eyes expansion
Slippery Rock Community Library has expanded its inventory – but is still in desperate need of more room.
-
Pause to notice positivity, art
"Tea Pot" and "Industrial Arts" are the two newest fixtures in Olde Town Grove City.
-
Local doc now offering improved ankle surgery here
A local foot and ankle specialist is the only physician in the area trained to perform an advanced ankle replacement procedure that has improved the quality of life for several patients.
-
THIS JUST IN
Slippery Rock resident Mark Beres, who practiced optometry in New Castle, has been jailed on federal child porn charges.
-
Survivors' stories
Rape and sexual assault among U.S. military members have become an epidemic, and director Kirby Dick felt the need to share the survivors' stories with the world in a documentary that continues to gain attention.
-
Support the kids at May 4 benefit
A benefit to support the Food For Kids Backpack Project is being held Saturday, May 4, at Grove City Country Club. Cocktails will be served at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. The evening includes Chinese, silent and live auctions.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
