AUSTIN -ðOne firefighter was injured in a fire at an Austin
manufacturing plant Sunday afternoon.

Firefighters from the Austin Volunteer Fire Department returned
to the scene when the fire that had broken out early that morning
rekindled.

According to the Tioga County Emergency Dispatch Center, the
blaze broke out at the Emporium Specialties Co. Inc., at 10 Foster
Ave., at 6 a.m.

Fire departments were dispatched from Austin, Coudersport, Port
Allegany (Star Hose Engine) and Emporium, with the Roulette,
Galeton and Shinglehouse departments on stand-by. The Elk County
Hazmat team also assisted at the scene.

Austin Fire Chief Darren VanWhy said one firefighter suffered a
leg injury when responders returned to the scene after the fire had
rekindled.

VanWhy said the initial fire that morning caused extensive
damage to the rear of the plant, and one whole manufacturing line
would be down “for quite some time.” He said a dollar value for the
damages was still unclear, and the building’s sprinkler system
saved the structure.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the fire
marshal, he added.

VanWhy said 50 firefighters responded to the scene of the
morning fire. Only crews from the Austin department rolled to the
rekindle. The two events “ran together,” he said, adding it was
unclear how long responders were on scene.

There was no further information about the fire Sunday
night.

According to the company’s Web site, Emporium Specialties
“provides all phases of manufacturing from in-house tool making to
finishing needed for engine parts, structurals, bushings, bearings,
gerotors, gears and more … (in) stainless steel, bronze, brass,
iron, copper and special alloys.”