A Center businessman is recovering from smoke inhalation after a spark caused by welding ignited some nearby boxes in the shop area Monday morning. A-1 Paint and Body Shop owner Larry Askew was taken by ACE EMS to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. Center Fire Chief Keith Byndom said firemen were called to the business on Loop 500 with a good amount of smoke coming from the structure when they arrived around 10:30 a.m. Chief Byndom said there was substantial smoke and fire damage in the shop area.

Just after noon Monday Center Fireman responded to the report of smoke at Green Acres Convalescent Center. Chief Byndom tells us they arrived to find smoke in the west wing of the building. After a thorough search, it was determined the smoke originated from insulation located by the heater coil on roof had burned and was sending smoke into the facility. He said there was no damage or injuries from the call.