beer & fire firegeezer on 29 May 2008 07:12 pm
Large Fire In Utica Brewery
Updated, scroll down.
A LARGE FIRE IN THE F. X. MATT BREWERY IN UTICA, NEW YORK, broke out around 5 pm this evening in the bottling plant.
The fire has built rapidly because of large stocks of packaging materials stored in the building. Reporters on the scene say that they can already see cracks in the building’s walls.
Observer-Dispatch
The FD is also concerned with the storage of ammonia on the site that is used in the brewing process and they have warned citizens in the area to keep windows closed and avoid any black smoke.
New Hartford, Whitesboro and New York Mills FD’s are assisting the Utica FD on the fire.
WSTM
Update, 10:20 pm:
As of 10 pm, Utica Fire Chief Russ Brooks said that the fire is still out of control.
The fire is believed to have started on the 2nd floor of the bottle building in a “high cone machine” which puts the plastic loops around the six-pack cans. The roof and the third floor have both collapsed and they expect the entire bottling building to be a total loss.
Right now their main concern is a large ammonia tank and the FD is working to keep the fire from forcing a pressure explosion. The explosive devastation and the health hazard would be massive if that happened. A 5-block area around the fire has been evacuated.
The Utica Observer-Dispatch has the full, ongoing story and is constantly being updated HERE.
WKTV has this early video report with some fire scenes:
Firegeezer is concerned, too. One of my favorite brews, Saranac Pale Ale is brewed here. I have to get out to the store early tomorrow and stock up before supplies dwindle.
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