Damage Estimated At $1M In Butler Co. Warehouse Blaze

Investigators are trying to determine what caused a fire that destroyed a Butler County warehouse containing propane, chemical fertilizers and other dangerous items.

The fire at the 44,000-square-foot Plant Growers Workshop in Jackson Township was reported at about 11 p.m. Wednesday.

Township police estimate the fire caused more than $1 million in damage, and 14 fire companies from Butler, Beaver and Lawrence counties were called to battle the blaze.

"The building had fertilizer," said Jackson Township Police Chief Len Keller. "We were concerned with the effect of fire mixed with fertilizer, propane and electrical supply boxes."

By 4 a.m., firefighters decided not to enter the building because the flames had weakened supports in the steel frame building. Instead, they fought the blaze only from the exterior and are waiting for the interior fires to burn out, which could take a couple days.

"First, we have to let the fire extinguish itself, then cool (to) see if structurally safe and conduct the investigation," said Keller.

"It didn't look like it was going to wind up like it is now," neighbor Rich Laslavic said of the damage. "Totally ablaze, but initially, they were trying to cut through the roof."

The cause of the fire hasn't been determined. One firefighter has been treated for carbon monoxide poisoning, but no other injuries were reported.

The warehouse is near Routes 68 and 528, about 35 miles north of Pittsburgh. Route 68 was closed for several hours while emergency workers fought the flames.