Things were moving along smoothly for hard-working business owners Ben Verta of Lansford and Mike Miller of Tamaqua.

The partners were making strides in building and managing a two-year-old resin manufacturing company in the 18,000-square-foot industrial building at 140 Walnut St., Tuscarora, just off Old Route 209.

The operation employed five full-time workers and was soon to expand to three additional staffers.

But everything came to a sudden halt when the brick building burst into flames late Sunday morning.

Despite best attempts by firefighters from Schuylkill and Carbon counties, the structure and all of its contents were destroyed.

"Right now we're shell-shocked," said Verta, as he and Miller watched firefighters battle the blaze.

See Monday's Times News for details.