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(video provided by Daniel Scott)

(Photo by Deb Patterson)

(UPDATE: The fire at Pendry Powder Coatings has been put out as of 12:54 p.m. today.)

All employees of Pendry Powder Coatings, 275 E 250N, Warsaw, are safe. However, the business is a total loss with damage and contents estimated in the millions of dollars.

George Pendry and his employees were at work this morning when he and a shop manager noticed fire in the ceiling and wires shorting out.

A call to the county 911 center was received at 7:31 a.m. sending Leesburg/Plain Township and Warsaw/Wayne Township fire departments to the scene.

Smoke could be seen in the morning sky for over 10 miles away.

Winona Lake Fire Department sent tanker and manpower assistance with additional tanker assistance sent by Milford, North Webster, Claypool, Atwood and Pierceton fire departments. Additional manpower was also sent to the scene by Pierceton Fire Department.

With tankers from the various departments at the scene, standby assistance was called from other departments. Milford Fire Department was put on standby for Leesburg, Turkey Creek Township Fire Territory was sent to North Webster, Claypool and Pierceton sent to Warsaw. Larwell Fire Department was sent to Pierceton and New Paris Fire Department sent a tanker to Milford. Sydney and Silver Lake fire departments were placed on standby at their stations as well.

Milford Fire Department and North Webster Fire Department were called for manpower to the scene and volunteers with The American Red Cross assisted at the scene by providing a canteen for fire fighters.

Pendry stated his business powder coated all types of parts for various customers commercial and private. If it is metal, Pendry Powder Coatings could coat it. Pendry noted among the various parts in the building were those for police agencies.

Bonnie Sharpe, office manager and sister of owner George Pendry, stated her brother started the business out of his garage approximately 15 years ago when he began fiddling around with his own parts. He then started doing parts for car racers. Around 2004 he moved the business to its location on CR 250E. There are 17 employees.

More environmentally friendly and durable than paint, the powder is baked on the parts.

Pendry did state the business is insured.

Official details will be provided when it becomes available. Firefighters remain at the scene with CR 250N still closed.)

Drivers are advised to avoid County Road 250 North near State Road 15 due to this large structure fire.