Grove City landmark destroyed in fire [Updated]

Grove City’s Wendell August Forge, America’s oldest and largest operating forge, suffered major damage from a fire that started around 1:00pm Saturday afternoon.

More than 20 fire departments from Mercer, Butler, Lawrence and Venango counties responded to the fire at 620 Madison Avenue and fought the flames for over 4 hours.  The fire was declared under control at 4:45pm, but the building was said to be doubtful, by the Grove City Fire Chief, according to Mercer County’s on-line EMS alert system.

No one was hurt in the fire and all employees working at the time of the fire escaped safely.  Firefighters tried to retrieve computers, files and antiques from the building, but were only able to save a few items.

Firefighters had a tough time getting the fire under control, partly because of broken fire hydrants close to the scene.  Tanker trucks were called in from around Mercer County to bring water from a hydrant about 3/4 of a mile away.

The Grove City location, Wendell August Forge’s flagship retail store and forge, opened in 1932 and was located partly in a building used by the Army in World War I.  The building which held the forge is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

The extent or dollar amount of the damage were not available Saturday evening.

Updated 8:47pm. Multiple reports are now saying that the cause of the fire was a chemical spray that caught fire in a woodworking area on the second floor. It does appear that the building is a complete loss and will have to be torn down. Will Kanecht, the president of Wendell August Forge, said on WKBN-TV that he does plan to rebuild the forge to be bigger and better than it was before.

The gallery below shows pictures that dotcom3.net’s Jeremy Saylor took from the scene.  To see his full gallery, visit his facebook photo gallery here.

You can also check out KDKA Pittsburgh’s report on the fire here.