Fire Operations Conclude at International Paper
The Fire Department responded to International Paper, 4600 C Street SW, on Saturday, July 8th at 7:36 a.m. for the report of a fire in a storage and conveyer building. Firefighters arrived on scene and were met by International Paper employees who indicated that there was a bale of recycled cardboard on fire inside an approximately 500 feet by 400 feet and 40 feet tall warehouse. Firefighters entered the warehouse and found that the fire had spread to other bales at different heights and locations throughout the building.
Firefighters worked for over two days with International Paper employees to remove and extinguish the bales of recycled cardboard. Many of the bales contained fires that were deeply seated which required that the bales be removed from the warehouse with skid loaders, excavators, and forklifts. The bales needed to be disassembled and have the cardboard extinguished.
Firefighters ceased operations at 8:30 a.m. this morning. During the fire operations, the Cedar Rapids Fire Department was assisted by fire departments from Ely, Fairfax, Hiawatha, Marion, Mount Vernon, and Swisher. Area Ambulance Service also assisted throughout the duration of the incident.
One firefighter received minor injuries and was treated and released. There were no other injuries reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Both Fire Department and International Paper safety staff will be investigating the incident.
