WEBSTER, S.D. (AP) -- Crews fighting a chemical fire at the PowderTech Inc. manufacturing plant in Webster on Monday had to rely on unusual techniques.
Eric Kwasniewski, an assistant fire chief in Webster, said crews couldn't use water to put out the flames because of the chemicals involved, so they fought the fire by smothering it with gravel.
The fire, reported Monday morning, was under control by Monday afternoon, but emergency officials believe the building was a total loss.
The fire forced the evacuation of some homes and businesses on Webster's south side, and a daycare was moved to the armory.
Reports said an oven malfunctioned and that magnesium started on fire just after 10 a.m.
Fire departments from Webster, Waubay, Bristol and Roslyn responded. Webster and Waubay police, the Day County Sheriff's Office, South Dakota Highway Patrol and state Game, Fish and Parks Department workers also helped.
PowderTech, a custom paint coating company, employs about 40 people in two plants. Paul Haugen, PowderTech's vice president and general manager, said the building that burned housed the company's small-parts line and its main office. A large-parts line is in another building at Webster's industrial park.
''We're not sure what's going to happen right now,'' Haugen said. ''That's what we're trying to figure out. We'll probably set up a temporary office somewhere on Main Street. Right now, we're looking for a place to do that.''
He said it will be some time before crews will be able to check and see if anything is salvageable. But two of the company's computer servers were saved, Haugen said.
Information from: Aberdeen American News
