MAY 30, 2015
RAVENNA, OH (WOIO)
A magnesium fire at Lite Metals Company in Ravenna, OH,
proved difficult to extinguish for firefighters as they found they could not
use water to put out the blaze.
Ravenna Fire responded to a call for a structure fire
at 700 North Walnut Street on Saturday around 8:32 a.m.
When the crew arrived at Light Metals, it would soon be
discovered that magnesium used for making parts had flared and caused the fire.
Officials say that extinguishing the magnesium fire took
some rolling up of sleeves because they couldn't use water-- they had to use
sand.
Sand is the only thing they could use to smother the flames.
Although nine other departments were called to assist, the
fire got out of control when sand that wasn't cured properly made things worse.
The moisture in the sand caused the fire and smoke to
increase.
Crews spent more than three hours shoveling sand onto the
flames which had extended to the ceiling of the structure.
In the end, no one was in need of rescue and no firefighters
were injured.
The current foundry produces magnesium and aluminum sand
castings mostly for the helicopter industry with commercial applications in the
racing sector and other markets. The foundry received its AS9100 certification
in November 2007.
Source: http://www.19actionnews.com