WATSONTOWN -- Maintenance man Dave Straub was doing his usual early morning walk-around at the Watsontown Foundry on Wednesday when he smelled smoke.
"I opened the back door and thought I smelled a woodburner, and then I looked across the alley and saw a little glow down at the bottom of the door," he said.
Straub pulled out his cell phone and dialed 911.
His presence and quick action may have prevented a major blaze. Someone had entered a garage at 416 Main St., found a gas can and poured gasoline on the outside overhead door of the garage before setting it on fire.
Warrior Run Area Fire Department Chief Mark Burrows, who lives a short distance away, was on the scene within minutes and doused the flames.
Police speculate that Straub's arrival at the foundry may have scared off the arsonist. The gas can was found in the middle of the alley.
Straub said he usually arrives at the foundry just before 5 a.m. He walks through the plant at Fifth and Ash streets, turning on lights and unlocking doors.
He had opened a large overhead door and unchained a smaller door that opens on the alley between the foundry and garages behind homes along Main Street.
"It could have been really bad if it had spread over here to the foundry," he said, standing outside the building. "We have all kinds of paints and solvents we use in here."
Norman Fedder, a state police fire marshal, was on the scene to determine the cause. He deemed the fire arson caused by the gasoline.
The investigation has been turned over to the Watsontown Police Department.
Cpl. Wade Danley, of the Watsontown police, identified the property owner as Mary Phillips. He said damage to the garage door was minor.
He said police have no leads.
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