Dust Collector Fire Forces Evacuation of Metals Firm

Employees evacuated a Yakima, WA sheet metal production site after a metal dust collector caught fire on Nov. 16, several local news organizations reported.

The Yakima Fire Department responded to Stephens Metal Products at about 2:40 p.m., finding the metal dust collector on fire and smoke moving through the facility, local NBC News affiliate KIMA reported.

Officials said no injuries were reported, but the dust collector’s $6000 filters are thought to have been destroyed in the blaze. The fire department praised the facility’s workers in a press release for their use of an extinguisher, quickly alerting emergency crews, and moving employees out of the building, a Yakima Herald article said.

Stephens Metal Products’ owner said the business would remain closed for more than one day to perform repair work, KIMA said.

The fire department told the television news station that earlier repairs to the dust collection system possibly caused the incident. 

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