All employees evacuated and no one was injured
TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
At 6:32 p.m. on Thursday, May 20, the Merrill Fire Department was dispatched for a fire alarm from a pull station at the Northern Wire plant at 1100 W. Taylor St. in the City of Merrill, according to the Merrill Fire Department. “63-Truck, Engine-62, and Med-62 responded immediately,” Fire Chief Josh Klug said. “Prior to their arrival, it was confirmed that there was a fire in the plating area of the factory.”
“When Engine-62 arrived on scene, firefighters pulled hoselines and began attacking the fire,” Klug said. “The crew quickly brought the fire under control and limited damage to the machinery that was involved.”
“Corning and Pine River Fire Departments assisted on scene as well as Merrill Police Department,” he said. While mutual aid was requested through MABAS, most units were canceled once the fire was under control, Klug added.
“Ventilation fans were used to clear smoke from the rest of the plant,” Chief Klug said. “The fire was likely caused by mechanical malfunction of plant equipment.”
“All employees were able to evacuate and no one was injured in the fire,” Klug said.
Joseph Shoemaker, Vice President of Marketing for Elgin Fastener Group, which acquired Northern Wire in June 2012, confirmed the fire was very localized in a remote part of the plant. “And thankfully, no one was harmed or injured,” he said. “The safety and security of our teams is paramount, and the swift reaction to this incident demonstrates our commitment and planning to that end.”
Shoemaker said production was suspended on Friday, May 21, “to perform clean up,” but said he expected “full attendance for all scheduled shifts on Monday, May 24.”