Martinrea plant shuts down briefly for small fire

Manchester Fire Department fire trucks at Bishop Circle Assembly last Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Matt Radze.

Late Wednesday afternoon,  the fire department was dispatched to Martinrea Industries, Bishop Circle Assembly on located on Parr Road. Michael Riesterer, Manchester Township's fire chief,  reported that while welding on a support to a tank containing coolant used in the manufacturing process, workers inadvertently ignited insulation with sparks, catching an exhaust fan and filter on fire.

Riesterer stated, "Damage was confined to the exhaust fan and ventilation equipment in that part of the building. The manufacturing area was evacuated, and once we cleared the smoke from the area, workers were allowed back in."

Diane Kuipers, serving as a spokesperson for Martinrea Industries Bishop Circle Assembly stated, "The fire was minimal, no injuries, only minor structural damage and 1 hour of lost production."

Photo courtesy of Matt Radze.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.