Firefighters battle blaze at Delaney Concrete in Marion

MARION - Gas drained from a skid loader may have ignited a blaze Tuesday afternoon at Delaney Concrete Contractor in Marion, fire officials said.

Marion Fire District Chief Doug Wyman said it is too early to determine what happened in the shop building at 120 35th St., but an employee was draining gas from a skid loader and it may have 'gotten away” from him as he was putting it into a container.

'There were three workers inside but all of them got out,” Wyman said.

Wyman said the fire seemed to start close to the South side of the building. There was at least one truck inside and some tires, which burned - producing black smoke visible from Highway 100. Wyman added that on the north side, in an office area, firefighters were able to enter and remove a server and some other equipment.

The blaze started about 4:30 p.m. and it was almost knocked down by 6 p.m., except for some hot spots coming out of the roof areas that had not collapsed and burned. Firefighters also started to drag out one of the roll-up garage doors damaged in the fire.

Wyman said half the Marion department was on the scene. No other buildings were in danger.

According to its website, Delaney Concrete Contractor specializes in commercial and residential concrete work, including flatwork like paths, sidewalks and driveways; foundation and retaining walls; decorative work like stamped and stained concrete; and concrete removal and replacement.

The business was founded in 1975.

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