Fire extinguished at EnerSys plant

Brian Smith
Register News Writer

January 07, 2009 08:07 am

— Richmond firefighters responded to an alarm Tuesday morning at the EnerSys manufacturing plant on the Eastern Bypass.
Firefighters received the call of a small fire inside the battery manufacturing plant at 761 Eastern Bypass at 5:25 a.m. Tuesday, Richmond Fire Department public information officer Corey Lewis said.
Two engine companies, a ladder company and several other units responded to the alarm.
The fire started in a charging area inside the plant, Lewis said, and factory representatives directed firefighters to the fire upon arrival after talking with dispatchers.
Fire crews used extinguishers to put out the blaze, which had filled the area with smoke.
Plant officials and the fire department’s investigations bureau are working to determine the cause of the fire.
No one was injured during the fire, but hazardous materials cleanup crews were called in to decontaminate the area because of the presence of sulfuric acid and other hazardous chemicals. Madison County Emergency Medical Services paramedics checked firefighters for possible exposure following the blaze.
Multiple attempts to reach an EnerSys representative by telephone Tuesday went unanswered.
The fire was the second in recent months at the plant. A July 31 fire caused by embers from maintenance work igniting a pile of clothing caused $10,000 in damage.
It took 19 firefighters to extinguish the July blaze.
Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.