25.10.2006

Fire at Manitowoc Cranes

A filter system is to blame for a fire that occurred Tuesday morning at a Manitowoc Cranes training facility in Manitowoc Wisconsin.

The system - used to collect dust and fumes from welding processes - caught fire just before 11 a.m causing the evacuation of the metal manufacturing building.

Welding student Steven Welch said he and others smelled smoke and began checking welding booths for fire.
"Then we looked up and saw smoke," Welch said. "We went upstairs and didn't see flames, but we had to leave because it was getting smoky. We all started running out."

The cylindrical filters were hosed down in the filter system before being removed and doused outside of the building.
The only damage was to the filters althought the fire is still under investigation. Fire crews were on scene for about 1½ hours. No one was hurt in the incident.