JONESBOROUGH, Tenn.—A rubber compounding plant in Tennessee remains closed and questions remain after a major fire caused significant damage to the facility in early January.
Hexpol Compounding on Jan. 22 reported that a Jan. 7 fire at its Jonesborough site took two days to extinguish on Jan. 9.
"At this time, the extent of damage is still unknown, and Hexpol continues to work with various authorities and company representatives to determine the cause of the fire," Ken Bloom, President of Hexpol N.A., said in a statement.
"The plant is completely closed as we evaluate the conditions of our assets. The future plans for Hexpol Jonesborough will be addressed once there is a full assessment of the site and the extent of the damages," he said.
One employee was injured in the fire, and he is "doing much better and his progress is very positive," Hexpol said.
Some employees remain on the job in support and management of on-site activities taking place as the company works to clean up after the blaze that was reported at approximately 1:30 a.m. Jan. 7.
"Production employees have been offered and some have accepted positions at our other facilities. All other employees have been laid off, with severance, and have call-back rights after the plant's future is determined," the company said.
Hexpol previously reported that 22 employees were evacuated from the facility at that time, with one person injured.
The employee suffered burns and was transported to a burn unit in Winston-Salem, N.C., for treatment, according to a GoFundMe page established to help with medical costs.
"Hexpol is still working to clean the current site as rapidly as possible, and continues to focus on the health and well-being of its employees, the surrounding Jonesborough community, and servicing its long-standing customers," the company said.
Hexpol Compounding is a unit of Hexpol A.B. of Malmo, Sweden.
