THE WORLD’S LARGEST OPTICAL FIBER PLANT located in Wilmington, North Carolina, had to shut down Sunday afternoon following a fire in one of the glass-making towers. The Corning Fiberoptics plant had about 150 employees on duty when the glass-making processor overheated and started a fire in the ventilation system’s ductwork insulation at 1:50 pm.
Star News photo
Immediately, they shut off all industrial gas valves and directed the smoke through the ventilation system to the outside where the large plume attracted the attention of the entire city.
The factory has its own fire brigade and they started the fire attack while awaiting the Wilmington Fire Department units. The WFD ended up with 8 units on the scene and the fire was brought under control before 3 pm. The cause has been determined to be accidental and Corning expects to have the plant re-opened sometime today (Monday).
WECT-TV Ch. 6 filed this video report:
The Wilmington Star News has the STORY and a 12-image photo gallery HERE.
Also on FireGeezer…
- Rescue in Wilmington – December 10, 2011
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