Demolition is underway at the former Marsellus Casket Company. Demolition crew is working at the back of the building. Fire fighters remain on the scene and a pall of smoke still fills the area near the former factory. A single yellow excavator was working on the west side of the building as smoke continued to rise from wreckage. Firefighters said...
Demolition is underway at the former Marsellus Casket Company. Demolition crew is working at the back of the building. Fire fighters remain on the scene and a pall of smoke still fills the area near the former factory.
A single yellow excavator was working on the west side of the building as smoke continued to rise from wreckage.
Firefighters said flare ups continued, nearly 20 hours after fire was first reported at the block-long wood-and-brick building. Visitors stopped by to watch the work, standing back from yellow tape police had wrapped around the area earlier in the day.
Peter Jacura and Robert Kobuszewski stood watching side by side as smoke tinged the orange sunset.
Kobuszewski said he had worked at Marsellus Casket for 17 years, from the time he was 24 until the operation was shut down in 2003.
At one time he thought he would retire from the casket company. He now works at Erie Supply in Mattydale with others who once worked for Marsellus.
Jacura lives nearby. He was awakened Wednesday morning when firefighters passed down his street on the way to the burning building. "I've never seen flames like that," he said of the fire.
Both marveled that despite the fire, which charred the insides of the building and left the roof a gaping hole, the clock still stood atop the side facing Erie Boulevard.
Earlier coverage today:
» Marsellus Casket Co. building to be demolished.
» Investigators say someone started Marsellus Casket Co. fire.
» Marsellus Casket Co. fire may burn into tomorrow.
» Former Marsellus Casket Co. president saddened by fire.