Claremore business fire damage estimated at $1-million

CLAREMORE, Okla. (AP) -- A fire that destroyed a powder coating business in Claremore did about $1-million in damage.<br/><br/>Acting Claremore Fire Chief Mike Ramsey says the building housing RPC Custom

Tuesday, September 13th 2005, 8:25 pm

By: News On 6

CLAREMORE, Okla. (AP) -- A fire that destroyed a powder coating business in Claremore did about $1-million in damage.

Acting Claremore Fire Chief Mike Ramsey says the building housing RPC Custom Powder Coating remains standing but it's being declared a total loss because of damage done by flames, heat and smoke.

Ramsey says investigators believe improper shut-down of an oven used in the coating process, which bakes powder onto metal products, caused Monday's blaze. Employees tried to put it out with fire extinguishers before they evacuated.

There were no reports of injuries.

76 firefighters from Claremore, Northwest Rogers County and Verdigris fire districts fought the blaze for several hours.