Category Archives: Manufacturing

Marshfield, WI – Sprinkler system activated for fire at door manufacturing facility

One person was treated for smoke inhalation after a fire at a Marshfield business Wednesday morning.

Crews responded to a report of a fire at Masonite Architectural, a door manufacturer at approximately 9:50 a.m. When crews arrived they found a large particle board press on fire. A press release said the fire sprinkler system was activated, containing the fire while crews extinguished the press fire. However, the fire spread to the attic through the ductwork. To put out those flames a ladder truck was used to access the roof of the building. An additional fire was put out in another piece of machinery.

The location of the fire within the building made it difficult for crews to reach and extinguish the flames. As a result, crews were on the scene for 6.5 hours. One Masonite employee was treated and released for smoke inhalation. No fire service personnel were injured.

The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation.

Crews from the Marshfield Fire and Rescue Department and the Vesper Fire Department responded.

Chambersburg, PA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at sheet manufacturing facility

A fire broke out Friday morning at a business in Franklin County.

Chambersburg Fire Department was dispatched at 9:58 a.m. to Keystone Sheets, 1465 Nitterhouse Drive, Chambersburg, according to a news release from the fire department. Staff reported that the dust collection system was on fire.

Firefighters arriving at the scene did not see anything on the building’s exterior, but inside they encountered flames in three pieces of machinery and the connected dust collection system.

The building’s sprinkler system prevented the fire from extending to the rest of the duct system and the building, the fire department said.

The fire was under control as of 10:35 a.m. Crews remained on the scene for about two hours to extinguish hot spots. The scene was cleared at 1 p.m.

The building remained under normal operation during the fire, however, the business temporarily shut down for clean-up and repairs to be completed.

Companies from throughout the county responded to the scene, including Franklin, Fayetteville, Marion, Letterkenny, New Franklin, Pleasant Hall and West End fire and EMS departments, and WellSpan Health EMS and the Franklin County Coroner’s Office rehab unit.

A voicemail message left at Keystone Sheets Monday was not immediately returned.

Keystone Sheets manufactures corrugated sheets, or cardboard used to make boxes and other packaging.

Campbellsville, KY – Sprinkler system activated for forklift on fire at commercial building; No injuries reported

The run was upgraded to a working fire and additional units were dispatched from mutual aid departments due to the size and contents of the building, after entering the structure firefighters found a forklift on fire and water flow from the buildings sprinkler system.
Units extinguished the fire, checked for any extension and ventilated the structure. Fire damage was contained to the area of the fire by the sprinkler system. No injuries reported.

Mason City, IA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at Ag Processing plant; No injuries reported

Mason City firefighters responded to a call of an equipment fire at Ag Processing, located at 1605 19th Street SW just before 3 a.m. Wednesday.

According to a press release, one ladder truck, two ambulances and three command units with total of 14 firefighters/medics responded to the scene.

Upon their arrival, fire department personnel found the fire sprinkler system was activated in the building where the process equipment was located. The fire sprinkler system assisted with containing the fire until the fire department gained access to the interior of the equipment and extinguished the fire, the release said.

The majority of the units cleared the scene by 5:58 a.m., with the exception of one engine company remained on scene most of the day to assist plant staff with overhaul.

MCFD personnel were also assisted on scene by Cerro Gordo Emergency Management. No injuries were reported The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Leominster, MA – Sprinkler system suppresses lithium-ion battery fire at manufacturing facility

The sprinkler system in a Leominster business controlled a lithium-ion battery fire yesterday, preventing what could have been serious damage in the early-morning hours, said Leominster Fire Chief Robert A. Sideleau II and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine.

The Leominster Fire Department responded to an alarm activation at a manufacturing business at 501 Lancaster St. shortly before 5:00 yesterday morning. On arrival, they observed smoke but no fire. Firefighters made entry, searched for any injured parties, and ensured that the fire was fully extinguished. On further examination, they found that an overhead sprinkler head had activated, suppressing the fire.

An investigation by the Leominster Fire Department, Leominster Police Department, and State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office determined that the fire was accidental started with lithium-ion batteries that had overheated on a workbench.

“If they’re abused, overheated, or overcharged, lithium-ion batteries can start a fire that explodes in smoke, flames, and toxic, flammable gases,” said Chief Sideleau. “These batteries power devices we use at home every day, from phones and laptops to power tools and outdoor equipment. It’s important to charge, use, and store these devices safely. Always use the manufacturer’s charging equipment. Charge the device on a hard and stable surface, not a bed, couch, or pillow. Disconnect the device when it’s fully charged, and store it at room temperature, not in direct sunlight, a hot car, or freezing temperatures.”

“The sprinkler system at this site operated exactly as intended,” said State Fire Marshal Davine.  “It effectively extinguished a fire and prevented serious damage or injury. Tragically, none of the 31 Massachusetts residents who died in fires at home last year had that protection. If you’re buying or building a home, choose one with fire sprinklers. There is no faster or more efficient way to control a serious fire until firefighters arrive.”

Yesterday’s incident was the second lithium-ion battery fire to be extinguished by a sprinkler system in recent weeks. On January 4, the Woburn Fire Department responded to a commercial site for an alarm activation to find that the building’s sprinkler system had effectively suppressed a fire that started with a chemical reaction involving lithium-ion batteries.

Palmer, MA – Sprinkler system activated for trash fire at food distribution center; No injuries reported

The Palmer Fire Department was sent to Iberia Foods on Saturday for a trash fire.

According to the Palmer Fire Department, at 2:35 p.m., crews were sent to Iberia Foods on Wilbraham Street for a report of the water flow activation. When crews arrived, they found a pallet full of trash in flames directly below an activated sprinkler head.

The sprinkler system successfully kept the fire down and stopped it from spreading. Crews were able to put out the remaining fire. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Palmer Police and Palmer Fire Department. Three Rivers Fire, Bondsville Fire, Monson Fire, and the Palmer Police Department assisted in putting out the fire.

Iberia Foods Crop. is a leading food and beverage distributor in the U.S. Hispanic and Caribbean markets, according to their website.

Casper, WY – Sprinkler system activated for fire at machinery facility; No injuries reported

Mills Fire Department officials said there were no injuries resulting from a fire at Wyoming Machinery on Thursday morning.

Crews were dispatched to the structure fire at 5300 W. Old Yellowstone Highway at 6:53 a.m. on Nov. 9, according to a Mills Fire Department release on Thursday.

“Upon arrival of the first fire units, smoke was visible from the roof of the shop on the Southeast end of the building,” the release said. “When crews entered the structure they encountered heavy smoke conditions and the fire sprinkler system was active.”

The business had already begun the evacuation process of the shop area, and all employees were accounted for.

Crews were able to locate the seat of the fire and confirm that the fire sprinkler system had suppressed the fire.

Natural and mechanical ventilation cleared the smoke and crews shut down the sprinkler system.

“Members of the Natrona County Interagency Fire Investigation Task Force investigated the fire and determined it to be an accidental fire, originating in the shop area,” the release said.

There were no injuries to employees or firefighters. The Mills Fire Department thanks the Mills Police Department, Natrona County Fire District, Casper Fire/EMS, Bar Nunn Fire, Banner Health EMS, Casper Public Safety Communications Center, and members of the Natrona County Interagency Fire Investigation Task Force for their response.

Hershey, PA – Sprinkler system activated for electrical fire at Hershey factory; No injuries reported

The Hershey Company now confirms that a small electrical fire broke out in the Reese Factory Plant production area Sunday afternoon.

Staff reports that the fire activated the sprinkler system and Hershey Fire Department, who quickly came to extinguish the flames.

Press with the company state that all employees were evacuated and no injuries were reported.

The operations team is currently working to clean-up the scene, as production “will likely resume through the week.”

South Euclid, OH – Sprinkler system contains machine fire; No injuries reported

Several fire companies were called out to a manufacturing company after one machine caught fire late Monday.

According to firefighters, the fire started just after 11 p.m. at Glastics Corporation on Glenridge Road.

When firefighters arrived, all employees were already evacuated.

Firefighters said there was heavy smoke inside the building, but the sprinkler system contained the blaze to the machine.

The building was ventilated and there were no injuries.

Bettendorf, IA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at manufacturing company

The Bettendorf Fire Department responded to a fire Monday afternoon at a manufacturing company that left one person injured.

Crews say they responded to Greystone Logistics, 2600 Shoreline Drive, for a fire that was contained to a piece of manufacturing equipment and was extinguished primarily by the sprinkler system while firefighters checked for extension in and around the equipment.

Crews also said they performed search and rescue operations for the entire building because the fire and heat were significant enough to cause flow from eight sprinkler heads in the area.

All employees were evacuated to the outside where accountability was provided by management and confirmed by fire personnel through search operations, according to a media release. One employee was injured in the fire and was taken to a local hospital. No additional information on their condition is being provided at this time.

Crews say the factory is shut down from any manufacturing until the sprinkler system is restored to normal working conditions. Restoration efforts are underway.

According to the media release, Rock Island Arsenal Fire Department, Riverdale Fire Department, Local Restoration Company, and Local Sprinkler Company responded to the incident.

Simple Share Buttons