RYAN COYLE
WNEP
Reprinted with Permission

Owners said Thursday it's still too early to determine how much was lost in the early morning fire in Lackawanna County, but they added the building is a complete loss.

The blaze tore through Dyvex Industries, a Carbondale business that makes plastic components for air fresheners.

"It was absolutely traumatic. We got here in the morning. It was just shock, and then anger and then depression. And you go through the whole process," said Bob Strony, co-owner of the business.

The fire started around 2 a.m. The fire marshal said a machine inside accidentally caugh fire. Only one man was working at the time, and he got out okay.

"The bricks and mortar are not a problem. We can certainly replace that. Right now we have 14 people who are unemployed and we need to find work for," added Strony.

"I went home and took a quick shower and I put these on," said David Pettinato, who pointed to his camoflage pants. "They're symbolic. Camoflage. Fatigues. We're at war again. We're at war again and just like in the past we will fight the war and we will win it." He's been with the company since the beginning.

Another worker said business has been booming. "The last six months or so has been pretty busy. We've been working extra hours and everything like that," said Chuck Perry.

"The biggest thing is now getting ourselves back up so our customers don't suffer. We can't afford to lose customers," added David Pettinato.

The co-owner said Dyvex Industries has been in business for over 20 years, and at its currrent location for nearly a dozen years. Still, they plan to reopen at a new location.

"Right now the feeling is let's just pick up and move on and get this thing going to do what we have to do," said Strony.

He added they had insurance on the building, and that they're looking to open up an office soon to get the company back up and running. Then he hopes to reopen the plant soon after.