The state hazardous materials team was called in due to concerns about a possible explosion.
WILBRAHAM – Fire officials are at the scene of a fire at Utility Manufacturing on 2443 Boston Road that prompted a response from the state hazardous materials team, according to Capt. Thomas Shaw.
Shaw said the Fire Department got a call at approximately 8 a.m. Saturday for a report of an electrical fire at the company.
He said it took about 25 minutes to get the fire under control, and that firefighters from Ludlow also responded to the scene, along with the hazardous materials team, and fire marshal’s office.
There was concern about an explosion because the facility does metal processing, and has vats of acid, according to police. Shaw said the facility had a “salt bath” and if water mixed with it, there could have been an explosion.
A fire occurred in a section between the old roof and new roof, and its cause is still under investigation.
Police Capt. Roger Tucker said when emergency personnel arrived on scene, flames were shooting through the roof. Shaw was unsure as to how much damage the building sustained.
Tucker said a half-mile section of Route 20, from Brainerd Street to Post Office Park, was closed for about 45 minutes during the incident. It reopened at 9 a.m. Palmer firefighters assisted by providing coverage at the Wilbraham fire station.
According to Utility Manufacturing’s website, the company was founded in 1930.