NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 15)—Bridgestone/Firestone's Aiken County, S.C., plant is back at full production after a minor fire in the facility's mixing area over the weekend.
A BFS spokesman said a hot batch of rubber got jammed under a conveyor and ignited about 4 p.m. Saturday. The mixing area was cleared while the fire was contained, but the rest of the factory remained operational. Soon after the fire was put out, the other two mixers were back up and running, and on Sunday the third mixer was repaired and running, he said.
No injuries were reported.
The fire prevented the production of about 2,000-4,000 tires, but the spokesman said the plant will be able to make up that number in order to be in line with its goals.
He said the machinery was not heavily damaged by the fire. The local fire marshal will inspect the site to determine an exact cause.