Owner of Marion business damaged by fire offers thanks

MARION - The owner of a Marion business damaged by fire this week issued a statement Thursday thinking firefighters and expressing thanks that none of the company's employees were injured.

'We are extremely grateful for the quick action by both the Marion Fire Department and Marion Police Department,” said Mike Delaney, owner of Delaney Concrete Contractor, 120 35th St. 'After ensuring the safety of our employees, fire officials worked diligently and professionally in retrieving key company assets from our offices including computers, payroll checks and other pieces of property that will allow us to quickly transition to our temporary office space and continue business as usual. We are committed to rebuilding in our Marion location and look forward to quickly starting that process.

'Thank you for the outpouring of support from many local businesses and other partners who have offered their assistance during this unfortunate event.”

A fire Tuesday at the business started when a plasma cutter ignited gasoline fumes, investigators said.

Marion Fire District Chief Doug Wyman said Wednesday that an employee working in the shop building was draining gasoline out of a skid-steer loader into oil pans. Some of the gasoline got out and was ignited by sparks from a plasma cutter another employee was using, Wyman said.

Wyman said the building is a total loss.

'I'm not sure as far as all of the contents,” he said. There was at least one truck and some tires inside the building.

Firefighters were called to the business after the fire started about 4:30 p.m. They had the fire knocked down by 6 p.m. with the exception of some hot spots in the roof area. No injuries to firefighters or civilians were reported and no other buildings were touched by the fire.

Delaney said temporary business offices have been set up in another property owned by the company next door to the location of the fire.

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