Artist's Fire Pit To Be Used At Olympics

LEBANON, Tenn. -- When the Winter Olympics begin in a few weeks, a family from Lebanon will be glowing with pride.

Rick Wittrig, the owner of Fire Pit Art, made a steel globe that will burn brightly at the Olympic Games in Vancouver.

His fire pit will be the centerpiece in the courtyard where the athletes are housed. A 150,000 British Thermal Units flame will burn in the pit. Wittrig said his company started after an accident.

"We wanted a fire pit for our family, and I bought one at a yard sale. I took it home, it fell apart and caught the yard on fire, which was really exciting but not what we wanted. So, I made one for myself and our family," said Wittrig.

When friends saw his fire pit, they wanted one. Wittrig started going to art shows, set up a Web site and the rest is history.

Some of his vendors helped get him in touch with Olympic organizers. It took Wittrig 30 hours to create the fire pit that will be used in Vancouver.

The games begin Feb. 12 with exclusive coverage on Channel 4