Update: Fire Out, No One Hurt at Industrial Plant Outside Pine Bluff
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: January 30, 2013
Update (4:15 p.m.):
The fire is out at an industrial plant outside Pine Bluff.
Crews were called to the scene at ArcelorMittal on Industrial Drive South around two o'clock.
Firefighters quickly contained the blaze in the northeast corner here of the plant with no flames getting near any chemicals stored on site..
The plant builds steel rims for tires and about 450 people work there.
it's unclear how many were inside when the blaze broke out, but when KARK arrived on the scene roughly two dozen were still in the parking lot.
The fire department recently conducted a training session at the plant, which, officials say, helped in getting this situation under control.
"It proved to be very vital for our members to get out here. Our members were familiar with the plant, and that training paid off," says Shauwn Howell, the Pine Bluff Fire Chief.
According to Chief Howell, there was damage inside the plant, but overall, with no injuries, it was the best outcome they could hope for.
Officials believe the fire could be a welding-related accident, but that's still yet to be determined.
They'll remain on scene until they're sure no hotspots will spark back up.
Original story (2:15 p.m.):
A plant that makes steel rims for tires is burning this afternoon outside Pine Bluff.
The blaze at ArcelorMittal on Industrial Drive South near White Hall is in an industrial park.
It started shortly after two o'clock. Officials tell KARK 4 News that the plant was quickly evacuated within five minutes of the fire's discovery.
Units from at least four fire stations have been called to the scene, including two with ladder trucks.
Officials tell KARK 4 News that there are concerns about acids and chlorine held at the plant.
HazMat crews are also on the scene.
There have not been any reports of injuries.
We have a crew on the way to the scene and we'll update this story as soon as more details are known.
The fire is out at an industrial plant outside Pine Bluff.
Crews were called to the scene at ArcelorMittal on Industrial Drive South around two o'clock.
Firefighters quickly contained the blaze in the northeast corner here of the plant with no flames getting near any chemicals stored on site..
The plant builds steel rims for tires and about 450 people work there.
it's unclear how many were inside when the blaze broke out, but when KARK arrived on the scene roughly two dozen were still in the parking lot.
The fire department recently conducted a training session at the plant, which, officials say, helped in getting this situation under control.
"It proved to be very vital for our members to get out here. Our members were familiar with the plant, and that training paid off," says Shauwn Howell, the Pine Bluff Fire Chief.
According to Chief Howell, there was damage inside the plant, but overall, with no injuries, it was the best outcome they could hope for.
Officials believe the fire could be a welding-related accident, but that's still yet to be determined.
They'll remain on scene until they're sure no hotspots will spark back up.
Original story (2:15 p.m.):
A plant that makes steel rims for tires is burning this afternoon outside Pine Bluff.
The blaze at ArcelorMittal on Industrial Drive South near White Hall is in an industrial park.
It started shortly after two o'clock. Officials tell KARK 4 News that the plant was quickly evacuated within five minutes of the fire's discovery.
Units from at least four fire stations have been called to the scene, including two with ladder trucks.
Officials tell KARK 4 News that there are concerns about acids and chlorine held at the plant.
HazMat crews are also on the scene.
There have not been any reports of injuries.
We have a crew on the way to the scene and we'll update this story as soon as more details are known.
Photo shows smoke rising from building (from Nina Cross Miranda via Facebook):
