NORTH CANTON, Ohio—Officials continue to investigate a Jan. 19 fire that destroyed a rubber factory in Northeast Ohio.
Employees at Tristan Rubber Molding Inc. reported the fire around 9 a.m. When Jackson Township Fire Department firefighters arrived shortly after, workers already had evacuated, and flames were showing through the roof. Heavy, black smoke poured from the structure and could be seen throughout the area, which is near a commercial area commonly called Belden Village Mall.
Four neighboring fire departments assisted to extinguish the blaze. Crews had the fire under control after an hour but were on the scene for most of the day, overhauling the inside of the building.
The cause of the fire had not been determined on Jan. 19, Jackson Fire Chief Tracy Hogue told local media. Temperatures at the time of the blaze were in the single digits.
The 17,411-sq.-ft. factory was built in 1965 and is owned by RWP Leasing, according to Stark County Auditor's Office records.
Tristan Rubber, which was founded in 1995, is a privately held company serving the automotive aftermarket and automotive original equipment markets. It manufactures tire bladders, military goods, tire manufacturing accessories and components.
Company officials could not be reached for comment, and it is unclear if there are plans to rebuild the factory.