A quick response by employees and firefighters helped keep a Wednesday afternoon fire from spreading at Walnut Creek Planing in Sugarcreek Township.
Sugarcreek Fire crews were sent just before 12:45 p.m. to the facility on Shetler Road after a fire broke out inside a large sanding machine. Assistant Fire Chief Cody Shetler says plant employees used fire extinguishers and built-in safety systems to contain the blaze before firefighters arrived.
Crews worked with maintenance staff to extinguish hot spots, keeping the fire confined to a single piece of equipment. The cause of the fire wasn’t immediately known but was possibly due to a buildup of sawdust.
Seven employees were evaluated by EMS for minor smoke inhalation and exposure to fire extinguisher powder. All were cleared at the scene and remained at work.
Crews remained on scene for about two hours, and the damaged machine is expected to be repaired rather than replaced. No damage estimate has been released.
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