No one injured in fire at American Packaging

COLUMBUS A small explosion at American Packaging Corp. resulted in a fire that was extinguished by the sprinkler system in the building, according to Jared Fox, the public information officer for Columbus Fire Department.

The Columbus Fire Department responded to a report of a fire and explosion at American Packaging Corp, 850 W. James St., on Monday at 12:30 p.m.

When firefighters arrived on scene there was a report of one person missing, but he was located outside the building a short time later.

The sprinkler system contained the fire to the room where the fire started. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Workers were evacuated from the building, but were allowed to return. Columbus police closed the street in front of the factory while the firefighters worked.

Columbus Fire crews left the scene at 3:30 p.m. Also assisting were Columbus Fire Department were Sun Prairie, Beaver Dam, Fall River, Lifestar EMS, Columbus Police, Columbus Emergency Management, Columbus Water and Light, Columbus Wastewater, Columbus Public Works, State DNR, and the Columbia County Emergency Management.

APC Columbus recently underwent a $17.5 million expansion, adding 100,000 square feet to the facility. The APC Columbus plant is one of the top three rotogravure facilities in the world.

An explosion at the factory in 2009 killed Jeffrey A. Doxtater, 47.

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No one injured in fire at American Packaging