Fire breaks out at an Omni Metalcraft Corporation building
Firefighters wrangle hoses after taking care of the fire in a structure at Omni Metalcraft Corporation.
Alpena — A structure fire at an Omni Metalcraft Corp. building forced employees to evacuate on Friday morning just before noon.
The Alpena Fire Department responded with two engines, an aerial tower, two ambulances, and a rescue unit, to help a couple of the Omni employees, who were also area volunteer firefighters, battle the flames. Chief of the Alpena Fire Department, Bill Forbush had high praise for the Omni workers who helped contain the blaze.
“Workers at Omni Corporation noticed smoke and then fire in part of the conveyor and duct system here in the factory,” said Fire Chief Bill Forbush. “They held the fire at bay with almost every fire extinguisher in the building.”
Company officials executed their fire plan immediately. Fire officials say the cause of the fire was likely a malfunction in the equipment.
“Had it not been for their actions, the fire would have been much, much worse,” said Forbush.
Firefighters arrived on scene and were able to assist in ending the fire. They then ventilated the building to clear out the smoke. The structure, located at 3810 N US-23, experienced major smoke damage.
“We have nine people on duty today,” said Forbush. “We responded with all personnel and with off duty personnel as well.”
WBKB-TV reached out to a representative from Omni but they declined to comment at this time.
