Published: June 16, 2008 11:59 am      

Intense Heat

Cintas blaze warps steel

BOWLING GREEN - An early Sunday morning fire at the Cintas Corporation building at the Upper Potomac Industrial Park caused "extensive" damage, according to Shannon Adams, Bowling Green Fire Department Chief.

"We probably will never know the exact cause," Adams said of the 1:14 a.m. fire. "The damage is extensive. It's still under investigation, so as far as a dollar amount, I don't have that."

Adams said the fire itself did not take long to get under control, but the clothing, rags and other items within the building continued to smolder and had to be repeatedly extinguished.

Cintas Corporation provides uniforms, floor mats, scheduled cleaning and janitorial supplies, all of which, Adams said, provided fuel for the fire.

Gary Gillum, captain at Bowling Green Fire Department, said the fire crews did not completely leave the scene until around 10:30 a.m.

"It took quite a while because of the contents," Gillum said. "Uniforms, rags, towels and cleaning fluids were all burning and smoldering. It was a hot fire, but there wasn't a lot of open flame, but the smoke was dense."

The fire, Gillum said, moved into the substructure of the building and steel beams at the site were warped by the intense heat.

Adams said the fire is still under investigation, but appeared to be accidental.

He said crews had to force entry into the building and there was no reason for the fire to have been set intentionally.

"We don't have the exact cause," Adams said. "There was nothing to lead us to believe it was intentionally set. They had closed up shop for the weekend and no one was around when everything took place."

More than 20 crews were called out on the fire. Adams said that this was because of the heat and humidity, where risks of injury or becoming overheated were higher.

Also responding to the scene were Cresaptown, LaVale, Bowman's Addition, Rawlings, Shaft, Frostburg, Corriganville, Ellerslie, Ridgeley, District 16, Bedford Road, Cumberland, Clarysville, McCoole, Flintstone and Midland fire departments and LaVale Rescue Squad.

Orleans, Mount Savage, Wellersburg and Short Gap Fire Departments remained on stand by.

According to Allegany County 911 Joint Communications Division, Columbia Gas and Allegheny Power were notified of the fire.

Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@times-news.com.