Closed Shenango China plant poses safety concern

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — City officials are assessing the stability of the former Shenango China plant after it was discovered that thieves had been stripping the building of copper and aluminum.

New Castle Fire Chief Tom Bulisco said the fire department returned to the building Friday after putting out numerous fires the previous day. The fires were apparently set by copper wire thieves trying to burn off the wire’s insulation.

“The plant is just like it was when (Shenango China) left. There are tons of dish moldings stacked everywhere. We are worried it might collapse,” he said.

The removal of the copper and aluminum has weakened the structure and much of the building’s roof is gone. It has not been in operation since the 1980s, he said.

For more, see Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com