A Wednesday night fire at a local printing plant caused an explosion but no injuries were reported.
At approximately 9:25 p.m., a 911 call was received by Central Dispatch from the RR Donnelley East plant, 2801 W. Old 30, Warsaw, concerning a fire in the roll paper storage area of the building. Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory units, along with the Multi-Township EMS, were dispatched to the scene.
First units on the scene reported that numerous RR Donnelley employees had used portable fire extinguishers and hoses to assist the activated fire sprinkler system in containing the fire. This helped in containing the fire to the immediate area until firefighters could extinguish the fire.
An initial investigation determined that a lift hoist tow motor parked in the paper storage area on the southwest side of the East Plant became involved in the fire. The fire from the tow motor extended to the LP fuel tank, causing a vapor explosion that damaged numerous doors in the area. The compression from the explosion was reported as being heard and felt throughout the East Plant, which houses large, automated printing presses.
There was no one working in the immediate area of the fire, and all RR Donnelley employees working in the East Plant were safely evacuated and accounted for, with no reported injuries.
Assisting Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire Territory units were the Winona Lake Fire Department and the Warsaw Police Department.
