There were no injuries at a blaze Tuesday night at Bradford Forest Inc. on High Street.
Bradford Township Fire Chief Dan Burkhouse said Wednesday there was no structural damage to the facility, but the accidental electrical fire caused enough damage that it may have impacted the company’s operations.
Bradford Forest officials did not return a message seeking comment.
Burkhouse said firefighters were dispatched at 10:39 p.m. Tuesday for the fire, which originated in a large electrical subpanel inside the facility.
“Just to give you an idea, this panel was approximately 7 feet high and 20 feet long,” he said, explaining it is far larger than what might be in a home.
“The fire originated there and caught other Class A materials on fire that were near it,” he said, referring to combustible materials like dust and wood. “Dry chemical fire extinguishers were used until the electrical panel was de-energized. Then two one-and-three-quarter hose lines were used to extinguish the fire.”
Burkhouse said firefighters worked with the plant’s maintenance personnel to disassemble the panel and extinguish any hidden fires.
“The plant was evacuated upon our arrival,” he said. “That shift did not return to work.”
He said in his estimation, there was enough damage that shifts may have been affected on Wednesday, but added he did not know that for a fact.
Burkhouse did not have a dollar amount of damage done, but said an area about 100 feet by 100 feet was damaged by the fire, which was discovered by employees.
“We were on scene until about 1 a.m.,” Burkhouse said, noting the response was three engines and a utility truck along with 24 firefighters.
The Bradford City ambulance was called to the scene to stand by in case it was needed. Bradford City, Lewis Run, Derrick City and Corydon Township departments all stood by as well.