Co-owner thankful though fire destroyed business

PHOENIX (AP) - The co-owner of a Phoenix business destroyed by fire says he has a lot to be thankful for and he and his brother plan to rebuild.

The only reported injury was to a worker at a plumbing supply industry next door who had minor burns.

Sam Breecher of Breecher Sales told KPHO-TV (https://bit.ly/1l5ELJg ) that he’s glad nobody was seriously injured.

The business founded by the brothers’ parents sells products to local wholesalers for electrical, plumbing, irrigation and other businesses.

Fire Department officials say the fire apparently started from welding work. It sent a tall column of smoke over west-central Phoenix for more than hour Thursday.

The fire was near a junction of Interstates 10 and 17.

Arizona Department of Transportation officials say the fire and smoke didn’t damage the freeways.