Fire at candy factory destroys tons of chocolate

CANONSBURG, Pa. - An official says a fire Friday at a landmark southwestern Pennsylvania candy factory destroyed nearly 20,000 pounds of chocolate. The blaze struck a second-floor packaging area at Sarris Candies in Canonsburg, Washington County.

Plant manager Dennis Sroka told the (Washington) Observer-Reporter on Saturday that a health inspection determined Sarris must destroy the candy, which either melted or had smoke damage. Canonsburg Mayor David Rhome said that officials would inspect the damage Monday but that the blaze did not appear suspicious.

Sroka said Monday's inspection would also determine whether an additional 5,000 pounds of chocolate packaged for sale in the store would also have to be destroyed. He said most of the company's stock survived because it was stored off-site. - Associated Press