DURYEA -- Crews were called out Tuesday afternoon to a fire at a factory Luzerne County.
Fire broke out around 5 p.m. at the Schott Glass facility on York Avenue in Duryea after reports of fire in a warehouse area.
Smoke pouring from the building could be seen for miles.
Fire officials said there were people inside the place when the fire started, but they all got out safely.
Officials said a total of 36 fire companies including crews from Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties responded.
After about an hour, firefighters were pulled out of the building for their safety.
They cut holes in the roof of the building and used ladder trucks to douse the fire.
Fire and emergency workers battled not only flames and smoke, but sleet and the extreme cold. Paramedics were brought in with warm tents to help.
Schott Glass is a manufacturer based in Germany, which makes glass for aerospace, pharmaceutical, medical, and other kinds of companies.
Schott Glass has defense and homeland security contracts, too.
About 230 people work at the plant in Duryea, although about 80 were to lose their jobs this month.
It was an announcement company officials made back in November, as work was transitioned to company headquarters in Germany.
The future of the plant in Luzerne County is uncertain as crews continue to deal with the fire damage.
