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Fire in Somerset

January 23rd, 2016 by WCBC Radio

Bullets cracked and sparked in clusters as flames rolled out the roof, windows and doors of the John Ross Gunsmithing shop Friday morning. The Johnstown Tribune Democrat reports firefighters shattered windows and sprayed interior flames, crouching from three sides of the double-roofed brick structure, and crews in a ladder truck tackled the fire from above – while shop owner John Ross watched his handiwork burn. “As long as everyone is alright,” he said. Ross said he lit a torch around 9 a.m. Friday in the building’s bluing room where he was working on a gun – but there must have been a propane leak from tanks used to warm the equipment. An explosion followed, and he escaped unscathed, other than a singed beard.

Fire crews from Somerset, Listie and Friedens arrived at the scene, 918 South Park Ave., shortly afterward. Somerset EMS and Somerset Police responded as well as Rockwood and Sipesville firefighters. Dispatchers also sent fire crews from Scalp Level/Paint and New Centerville to Listie and Somerset fire halls for standby.

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