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Heat from a cutting torch has been ruled as the cause of a fire that destroyed the old Woodcraft factory in North Manchester on Wednesday.
Investigators said Friday that the blaze was created by heat from the torch demolition crews were using to remove dust collector piping from the building, located at 300 W. Fourth St.
According to North Manchester Fire Chief Jack Fetrow, the fire began near the center of the southeast building in the complex. The storage building is owned by Midwest Lumber and Dimension.
No one was in the building at the time of the fire, and no one was injured fighting the blaze. Damage was estimated at as much as $125,000.
Eleven fire departments assisted at the scene on Wednesday. Fire fighters were able to save about 10,000 square feet of the 55,000-square-foot building.
The Indiana State Fire Marshal's Office assisted with the investigation.
