Longtime Hempfield family business goes up in flames

A Hempfield family business started in 1949 by Greensburg’s longtime fire chief went up in flames early Tuesday.

John Hutchinson, whose father and uncle now run Hutchinson & Gunter, said two sections of the building at the corner of Grove and Russell streets appear to be OK, but a third area was heavily damaged in the blaze.

“It’s just a piece of our family,” he said.

Firefighters received an automatic fire alarm at the sheet metal business just after 4 a.m., according to Hempfield fire Chief Anthony Kovacic.

“First arriving fire units found heavy fire,” he said.

One firefighter was taken from the scene to Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital after suffering a minor injury.

No one was at the business at the time. A state police fire marshal is investigating. The long industrial building is tucked between Route 30 and a neighborhood off West Newton Street.

In addition to flames, crews from numerous departments contended with thunderstorms and downpours, Kovacic said.

“It’s a very large building,” he said. “Right now, we’re assessing the damage.”

Hutchinson said his grandfather, Ed Hutchinson, started the business at a nearby location after returning from World War II. He later joined forces with another local business owner and built Hutchinson & Gunter on Grove Street in 1966. They added to the structure over the years and did sheet metal fabricating, welding and duct work.

About a dozen people work there.

Ed Hutchinson joined Greensburg’s fire department in 1939 and became chief in 1952. He held that post until retiring in 2016. Hutchinson died in April 2018 at 96.

John Hutchinson recalled plenty of times during his childhood spent at the shop sweeping floors. He does not work there. Family members and employees gathered at the burned-out building as the sun rose and storms dissipated.

“Knowing my dad and uncle, I’m sure that they’re wanting to keep things rolling,” he said. “My grandfather had so many people working there over the years.”