Firefighters from several volunteer companies were putting out hot spots this afternoon at a warehouse that burned to the ground in West Deer.

The warehouse, which housed several businesses, was a total loss, firefighters said.

The three-alarm fire was reported at 10:48 a.m. and was still smoking at mid-afternoon.

Ronnie Krazik, who runs a mulch company at the warehouse, said the building is owned by Michael Zacherl. Mr. Zacherl was out of town and unavailable for comment, according to family members.

Also headquartered at the warehouse was a sheet metal shop, a tree service, a sling manufacturer and an engine manufacturer.

Visible inside the burned-out building were several scorched trucks and an earth mover. Firefighters at the scene had no immediate damage estimate or evidence of what sparked the blaze. The county Fire Marshal's office was investigating.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.