Astro Shapes hit by fire this morning

STRUTHERS — Damage from a fire this morning in the Astro Shapes paint department will cause the unit to be shut down for repairs for one or two days, said Fire Chief Harold Milligan Jr.

Employees working at the time escaped without injuries, and no firefighters were hurt extinguishing the blaze, Milligan said. Struthers firefighters were aided by the Western Reserve Fire District’s ladder truck, which was needed to get on the roof of the building where firefighters cut out sections of large vent ducts that were burning inside.

Milligan said the fire, reported at 6:53 a.m., started in the bake oven, where extruded aluminum products are dried after being painted. The cause of the fire, which was confined to the bake oven and some vent ducts, is unknown, as is the amount of damage.

Struthers Firefighter Gary Mudryk said when firemen arrived at the scene, smoke and flames were coming through the roof of the building, which is located at 65 Main St. in the city’s downtown area.

Company officials were not available for comment this morning.

Astro Shapes manufactures extrusions for the building and construction markets. According to its Web site, as of 2006, it had 420 employees.