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An Upstate business owner has died from carbon monoxide poisoning after a fire at his shop, according to Anderson County Deputy Coroner Don McCown. Firefighters responded to a fire at Mike's Soda and Sand Blasting on Henry Thomas Road near Belton around 11:20 a.m. Wednesday. McCown said the fire appeared to have started in a generator outside the shop where Mike Cowart was found.   "Mr. Cowart was wearing what people describe as a sandblasting mask, which is a totally encapsulating helmet that has an air hose attached to it.  That air hose was actually attached to the generator that was on fire, so it appears at this time that Mr. Cowart was essentially just breathing carbon monoxide." First responders attempted to resuscitate Cowart at the shop, but the 47-year-old father and husband was pronounced dead at AnMed Health, McCown said. Cowart's cousin, Randy Ashley, said he got the call about the death, but had to come by the shop to see it for himself. "He had a pretty good life ahead of him, but I guess the good Lord said, 'No, it's time for you to come home,'" said Ashley.  "Going to miss him."

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