A furnace at a machine shop along East Business 20 caught on fire Tuesday, blackened two second-story walls and forced the evacuation of up to 20 employees.
No injuries were reported during the blaze that was reported at 4:12 p.m. at Penatek Industries, Inc., 6830 E. Business 20, where the flames worked their way up the second floor and charred a wall, Odessa Fire/Rescue Division Capt. Joey White said.
The flames breached through a second wall as fire crews doused the flames. The flames heavily damaged electrical wiring in the facility and power had to be shut off for possibly the next two days until Oncor work crews finish repairs, White said.
The fire caused an estimated $100,000 in damages, White speculated. Between 15 and 20 employees evacuated the facility during the fire, White said. He said a cause behind the blaze was not determined.
