No injuries in foundry fire

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

ROTHBURY — A fire at Barber Steel Foundry on Winston Road Saturday morning, June 13, caused by a possible furnace explosion was quickly extinguished by responding fire departments.

Mike Moon, who works security at the plant, said he called 911 at 6:20 a.m. after hearing three consecutive explosions. Heavy black smoke could be seen coming from the building, Moon said. Employees were ordered to evacuate the building, and no one was injured in the blaze, he said.

“We think a furnace exploded,” Moon said. Firefighters from Grant Township, Shelby-Benona, Montague and White Lake were called to the scene.

The blaze was extinguished by 7:30 a.m., and crews remained on scene checking for hot spots, he said. Oceana County EMS and Grant Township First Responders were also on scene.

At least half the staff, which normally totals 35-40 workers on Saturday, was immediately sent home, Moon said. The foundry, which manufactures railroad parts, will likely be closed for the day, he said. Production will probably not resume for a few days due to the fire, he said. No other information was immediately available.