Marshfield Fire Department Responds to Fire at Masonite Architectural

Thursday, March 14th, 2024 -- 10:02 AM

The Marshfield Fire Department responded with 9 personnel to a report of a fire in the particle board plant located at Masonite Architectural.

According to a release from the Department, the fire occurred around 9:53am on Tuesday, March 13th at the plant at 1401 E. 4th St. in Marshfield. When they arrived, an investigation found a large particle board press was on fire. Additional manpower was requested along with Central RIT.

The fire sprinkler system was activated, containing the fire to the area of origin. Interior attack teams made entry and were able to extinguish the press fire. Fire extension was found in the ductwork above the press and in the attic space the ductwork goes through.

Due to the difficult access of these areas, a ladder truck was used to access the roof of the building. Fire suppression efforts were conducted through access hatches and making access holes in the roof.

These fires were extinguished with the use of hand lines and an integrated fire suppression system within the ductwork. Additional fire extension was found in a large enclosed piece of machinery directly adjacent to the press.

This piece of machinery had large quantities of particle boards located within it. Three of the boards had to be cut and removed in order to fully extinguish this area. The location of these multiple fires made it difficult to locate and extinguish the fires.

Another fire response and 2 ambulance calls in the city, occurring at the same time, caused a shortage of manpower for a duration of the incident. A total of 17 fire personal (14 MFRD members, 3 Central RIT from Vesper Fire) responded throughout the duration of the incident.

MFRD was on scene for 6.5 hours. One Masonite employee was treated and released on scene for smoke inhalation. No fire service personnel were injured. The large press has significant fire damage. The roof of the building was damaged in order to gain access to the fire in the attic space.

Minor damage was found on the adjacent piece of machinery. A large amount of water from the sprinkler system and attack lines was still in the building upon completion of fire suppression efforts. The origin and cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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