Massive Fire Causes $1M in Damage at Iowa FactoryMassive Fire Causes $1M in Damage at Iowa Factory

An electrical issue apparently caused a massive fire to start in a paint booth last Monday night at the Scranton Manufacturing production facility in Scranton, IA, officials told local news organizations. The local fire department estimates the blaze caused more than $1 million in damages.  

The incident began at about 11:20 p.m. when a spark from a bad ground connection ignited paint that was being spayed from an electrostatic coating system, Green County Sheriff Jack Williams said in coverage by the Carroll Times Herald. Crews worked for about four hours to douse the flames. 

“Although the fire was contained to a small area, smoke damage is preventing a return to full operation until clean-up activities can be completed,” Scranton Manufacturing’s parent company, New Way Trucks, said in a company release published Wednesday. “Some business functions are being temporarily relocated to other company facilities in Scranton and Carroll, IA during the clean-up process, and phone service will be restored as a result.”

Click here for information about the upcoming International Powder & Bulk Solids Conference/Exhibition

The company’s Parts Department in Carroll and a manufacturing plant in Booneville, MS are continuing to operate normally. 

“We are thankful that no one was injured during the incident, and we are proud of our employee-family as they rally to get us back to full operation as quickly as possible,” New Way Trucks Chief Executive Officer Mike McLaughlin said in a statement. 

Scranton Fire Chief Doug Diff said in a report by RaccoonValleyRadio.com that the blaze likely caused $1 million in damages to the plant. 

For more news headlines, articles, and equipment reviews, visit our Equipment Zones

More Powder & Bulk Solids articles:

Rio Tinto Partners with SME

Landus Cooperative to Build 400,000-tn Mill in Iowa

PepsiCo Buys Online Snack Brand Be & Cheery