ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, May 25, 1996 TAG: 9605280034
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: BEDFORD
SOURCE: JOANNE POINDEXTER STAFF WRITER
No one was seriously injured in a midmorning fire Friday at the Rubatex Corp. complex, but several workers were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
Bedford Fire Chief Donald Hale said a maintenance worker was welding and grinding metal when a spark flew into a combustible compound, apparently starting the fire in the Waltex building.
Waltex, a division of Rubatex Corp., makes rubber insulation sheets and tubing.
Twenty-two workers were in the building when it filled with smoke and flames.
Steve Turner, director of operations for Rubatex, said the company was assessing the damage Friday afternoon. It appeared there was no structural or equipment damage, although there was some water damage, Turner said.
The building's sprinkler system put out the fire quickly, and the company's fire brigade was already at the scene when the Bedford Volunteer Rescue and Lifesaving Crew arrived, Turner said.
The Moneta Fire and Rescue Crew responded to the initial call that people were inside the smoke-filled building.
Lynch Manley, a volunteer rescue worker, said when he arrived the smoke was so heavy "it looked like you were running into fog."
Turner said employees, who have a three-day Memorial Day holiday, should be able to return to work Tuesday. "The most important thing is that no one was injured."
LENGTH: Short : 37 linesby CNB