Washington County fire crews battled a massive fire that engulfed the Maund Industries concrete and asphalt mixing plant on Thursday night. The blaze, which began around 10 p.m. at the facility located at 1200 Wood Street behind the borough fire department, produced several explosions that sent plumes of flames and smoke high into the sky.

First‑responders act quickly

County Fire Chief Thomas Hartley reported that his crew arrived on scene at 10:25 p.m. after receiving a call from police who had observed the flames and smoke. “The police called in the fire,” Hartley said. “They saw flames and smoke shooting from the building.”

Hartley noted that the building was empty at the time, preventing any injuries. Fifteen fire crews from Washington County responded, according to a 911 supervisor, and remained on the scene until 2:30 a.m. Friday, working diligently to bring the inferno under control.

Explosions complicate suppression efforts

“Because of the size of the structure and the metal roof, it made it hard to put the fire out,” Hartley explained. He added that multiple explosions were heard, which he believes were caused by propane tanks and tires on concrete trucks that detonated during the blaze. “It kept us on our toes, but nobody was hurt,” he said, praising the professionalism of the responding crews.

Investigation underway

The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal has opened an investigation into the cause of the fire. While the exact trigger remains unknown, officials are reviewing safety protocols and storage practices for hazardous materials at industrial sites.

Impact on the local economy

Maund Industries supplies concrete and asphalt to construction and paving companies throughout the region. The plant’s temporary loss may affect local contractors, but the company has not yet issued a statement regarding the timeline for resuming operations.

Community members expressed relief that no one was injured and commended the fire department for their swift response. “We’re grateful for the brave men and women who kept us safe,” said a resident who lives near the plant.

Looking ahead

Fire officials will continue to monitor the site for any lingering hot spots and will work with Maund Industries to ensure a safe restart of operations. The incident underscores the importance of vigilant fire safety measures at industrial facilities, especially those handling flammable materials.

Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.