When crews arrived, they found smoldering cardboard near a conveyor belt inside the production area. The plant’s automatic sprinkler system had already activated and contained much of the blaze. Firefighters ventilated the roof and used fans to clear smoke, while plant personnel helped remove burned materials.
No one was in the facility at the time, and no injuries were reported. The scene was cleared by around 8:30 a.m. The Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office was called to determine the fire’s cause.
According to Jeremy Mantz with the Perryville Fire Department, as of press time Tuesday, the fire remains under investigation. According to the company, operations were expected to resume the following week.
Fire departments from Biehle, St. Mary, Altenburg/ Frohna, Ste. Genevieve City, Chester, Ellis Grove, Steelville, and Red Bud responded to the call, with about 35 firefighters on the scene. A third alarm was issued to bring in additional resources.
