Dale Harris was working 2 machines inside C and N Industries at Mosherville and Concord Roads just outside Litchfield Wednesday night before 11 p.m. when he heard a yell and turned to see fire.

"Grabbed a fire extinguisher and that was like spraying gas on it," Harris says, "It probably spread 20 feet when the powder hit it."

The smoke got so thick he and 5 co-workers had to get out.

First Litchfield Fire was called, then Jonesville added a crew. By midnight, there were 10 departments from three counties on scene, mostly to shuttle water since there are not city hydrants nearby.

"A machine malfunctioned," Asst. Chief Harold Wolfinger says, " and away it went."

C and N Industries makes small parts for automotive and several other industries. Because they use oil in their process, it's soaked into the wood and on the wall. Wolfinger says it fueled the fire.

"So you just don't stand a chance," Wolfinger says.

"You get round back and it's all gone, twisted metal in there," Matthew Webb describes the scene. He was one of many employees who came to marvel at what's left Thursday.

"This is our life," Barb Houseknecht said. She worked at C and N for 25 years. That's quite typical. The average employee had 20 years in. "Just wondering what's going to be the future."

The company president tells us they are already working with suppliers and even competitors to move in to an idled plant in Hillsdale. It is welcome news in a spot where there's little of it--though sadly, not in time for Christmas.

"For this, it's a bad time any time, but this time it's even worse," Harris says.

The company president Mike Carmendy says though they will make a success out of the tragedy.