Massive blaze at Indiana Co. printing company could burn for days

INDIANA COUNTY, Pa. — Firefighters were called to battle a massive blaze at an Indiana County business Tuesday morning.

Emergency officials said the fire erupted at Creps United Publications around 9 a.m. on Christy Park Drive.

Witnesses said black smoke could be seen for miles.

“I looked out the window and there was just black smoke everywhere,” witness Abree Frye said.

Channel 11's Courtney Brennan reported that fire crews from as far away as Greensburg helped battle the flames. At least 15 fire departments from several counties have been working to control the blaze.

Creps Publications is a printing business that makes advertising inserts for newspapers, and it has operated in White Township for several years.

Indiana County emergency management coordinator Tom Stutzman said ink used at the plant isn't flammable because it is soy-based, but the large volumes of paper stored there have fueled the fire.

No workers have been hurt, though two firefighters are said to be hurt, one from a hose and another from an unspecified medical condition.

“The press is operated by electric, and there’s air to it, and then I think there is some gas and natural gas. So you add all of that together and a little bit of fire, and you’re going to have a mess,” Indiana Fire Association Chief Ron Moreau said.

Shelley Shimmel said about 260 people work at the facility, which is completely made of steel.

Shimmel, who is an employee of Creps, said she cried as she watched the building burn because she’s worried about the future.

“I feel bad for those of us who are 50, and if something unforeseen happens, they don’t reopen,” Shimmel said.

Fire officials said the fire could burn for days. Work to demolish heavily damaged portions of the building is already under way.

The owner of Creps Publishing told Channel 11 News he hopes to salvage whatever he can from the building and then rebuild.

WPXI