NEW PORT RICHEY, FLA. — An early morning fire Feb. 13 destroyed a small plastics business in New Port Richey.
Creative Plastics, which made floral containers, and a small private investigation firm housed in the same building were wiped out by the 2 a.m. blaze, Joe Fiorentino, New Port Richey fire marshal, said in a prepared statement.
About 20 firefighters contained the blaze to the 100-foot-by- 100-foot, metal-clad structure. Fire destroyed the company's three molding machines and a resin dryer, Fiorentino said. Damage to both businesses totaled $260,000, with Creative's Plastics loss accounting for $200,000, he said.
Firefighters treated the scene as a hazardous materials site, because a number of 55-gallon containers of polystyrene pellets were stored at the facility, said Capt. Paul Brozyna of the New Port Richey Fire Department, which responded to the fire.
Although the resin stored in the building contributed to the intensity of the fire and how quickly it spread, no injuries were reported. Its cause is under investigation, Fiorentino said.
Creative Plastics owner Jeff Kores did not return phone calls.