The Anheuser-Busch InBev Metal Container Corp. had a second fire this month at its Arnold plant on Wednesday (Aug. 16). The previous fire was reported on Aug. 1.
Fortunately, no one was hurt in either fire, and it didn't take long before employees were able to return to work, said Ron Harder, a Rock Fire spokesman.
At about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Rock Community Fire Protection District got a call about a fire in a kiln at the plant, 42 Tenbrook Industrial Park. It was the same kiln where a fire started earlier this month and spread to ductwork in the building. In the latest fire, though, the fire was contained to the kiln, which is used in the manufacturing of metal cans, Harder said.
A short time after getting the call, firefighters arrived at the scene, and all the employees already had been evacuated. Then, firefighters were able to contain the fire to the kiln and put it out within 30 minutes, Harder said.
He said the fire started in between insulating layers in the kiln, and after employees spotted flames coming from the kiln, they reported the fire.
Harder said there was minimal damage to the building, and employees returned to work soon after the fire was extinguished. After the Aug. 1 fire, it took a couple of days before the plant was back to full operation, the company reported.
Harder said three alarms were called for the fire, mainly as a precautionary measure since the building is large. He said several other agencies responded to the call, including the Antonia, Saline Valley, Fenton, Jefferson R-7 and Mehlville fire protection districts and the Herculaneum and Festus fire departments, as well as the Rock Township Ambulance District.
The Arnold plant manufactures 9.2 million cans per day (3.2 billion per year) and 2.5 million bottles per day (900 million per year), the company reported.