CONNERSVILLE, Ind. - A fire that destroyed much of an abandoned factory in an eastern Indiana city prompted officials to evacuate much of the surrounding neighborhood while it burned.


Authorities reported no injuries from the Sunday afternoon fire at the former Creative Fixtures factory in Connersville. City Police Chief Dave Counceller tells WRTV that a large explosion shook the ground to start the fire.

Firefighters needed several hours to put out the blaze and keep it from spreading to a nearby chemical factory. The cause wasn't immediately known.

Neighbors say the destroyed factory had been empty for about five years since the business that made shelving closed. Auto body shop owner Tim Poe tells WTHR-TV that teenagers have caused trouble at the property recently.

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