Fire at metal shop causes evacuation, $25K damage

10/1/2004

A fire caused about $25,000 damage at New Mather Metal and forced the evacuation of 30 to 40 people yesterday.

The blaze was reported about 7 a.m. at the facility, 5270 North Detroit Ave. It began in a dust collector's ductwork running over an oil vat. The flames spread, setting the rubber roof ablaze, Battalion Fire Chief Luis Santiago said.

Fire crews were on the scene for nearly five hours. The company disassembled the ductwork to make sure the fire was extinguished, the chief said.

Work at the plant resumed after the problem was isolated. The chief said the production line in the area of the fire is now out of service. The company hopes to have it back online by Monday, he said.

A man who answered the phone at the facility said it was business as usual at the site.