Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant Ferdinand, IN – Sprinkler system extinguishes manufacturing fire that started in lacquer finishing booth August 8, 2018 viking210 Units of the Ferdinand Volunteer Fire Department responded to an active fire Saturday morning at MasterBrand Cabinets’ 624 W. Third St. manufacturing complex. Today was a scheduled down day, according to Fire Chief John Hoppenjans, so a limited number of employees were on hand when fire started in a finish room spray booth that was being cleaned. Lacquer in the booth combusted but the plant’s sprinkler system activated and extinuished the fire, according to the chief. The fire department was called at 9:29 a.m. and firefighters went about ensuring the fire was out. The department then ventilated smoke and assisted in the cleanup. Employees had evacuated the building, Hoppenjans said, adding that the fire was contained to the spray booth. He credited the operation of the plant’s sprinkler system with helping to limit damage to about $20,000. Three individuals who had been in the vicinity of the fire were transported by ambulance to Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center as a precaution after complaining of breathing difficulties, according to Hoppenjans. Six trucks and 24 firefighters were on the scene 90 minutes. The Ferdinand Police Department and Memorial Hospital Emergency Medical Services assisted.
