Fire, Explosions Level West Pennsylvania Sandblasting Firm

The owner of a western Pennsylvania sandblasting company says he’s still in business despite a fire and explosions that leveled the shop that houses it.

The Herald of Sharon reports that the fire at Rodgers Sandblasting in Mercer County was likely an accident started by an electrical problem. But the fire was fueled by paint thinner, paints and welding tanks, causing several small explosions after the fire started about 9 a.m. Monday.

Nobody was hurt, but the uninsured building is a total loss.

Owner Bill Rodgers says the fire will probably slow down his business a little bit, but he was busy making alternative arrangements to service customers even as firefighters were dousing hot spots at the business about 60 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.