AUSTIN -ðThe fire at Emporium Specialties in Austin Sunday
morning cost more than $200,000 in damages, officials report.

Austin Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Darren VanWhy said
Monday that the origin of the fire had been narrowed down to a
ventilation fan in the roof above a plating line in the plant. The
cause of the fire is still unknown, he said.

An insurance adjuster for Emporium Specialties, located at 94
Foster St., is due to assess damages today, VanWhy said, adding
structural damages alone amounted to at least $200,000.

VanWhy said Minute Man Spill Response Inc. responded to the
scene Sunday, in addition to fire departments from Austin,
Coudersport, Port Allegany (Star Hose Engine) and Emporium, as well
as the Elk County Hazmat team. Minute Man crews were on scene
Monday and will be back today, he said.

The firefighter who was injured fighting the fire Sunday is
“doing fine,” VanWhy said. The man “punctured his upper leg
removing roof material” while fighting the fire, the fire chief
said.

Meanwhile, at Emporium Specialties, the company is still up and
running, VanWhy said, with the exception of one manufacturing
line.

A member of the management at Emporium Specialties, who declined
to be identified, confirmed Monday night that one area of the plant
has been shut down.

The estimated costs involved with replacing the damaged
manufacturing line and the business being lost due to the incident
were not readily available. He would say expenses incurred would be
“extensive,” however.

He said the 58-year-old plant had a fire of equal or greater
proportions in the 1960s. That fire broke out in the “meteor tools”
division, he said, which was located where the powdered metal
division is now.

He said it is the company’s intent to get back to full running
capacity, but that it could take several weeks.

There has been no loss of employment, he said, adding the
employees who normally work in the department affected by the fire
are working elsewhere in the plant.