A probable machine malfunction sparked a fire inside the JV Precision Machine Co. at 71 Cogwheel Lane Friday morning.
A fire alarm sounded in the building at about 9:30 a.m. The first firefighters arriving on the scene could see heavy smoke coming from the side of the 72,000 square-foot industrial building, according to Seymour Fire Department Chief Scott Andrews.
Luckily, the business was closed for the Fourth of July holiday. No firefighters were injured.
Fire damage was limited to one machine. However, the large building filled with smoke. Light smoke could be seen coming from the building an hour after the fire alarm sounded.
Firefighters set up 10 heavy duty fans to air out the building.
“There was a lot of smoke in the building. Just about the whole building was charred with smoke,” Andrews said. “The fire itself was fairly small and contained to a single machine.”
Andrews said it appeared an oil line to the machine ruptured, causing a “flash fire” on the machine itself. The oil continued to burn, letting off a great deal of smoke.
“We’ve got most of it cleaned out now,” Andrews said at 10:30 a.m. Friday. He expected firefighters to remain on the scene for another hour.
The town’s fire marshal is investigating precisely what caused the malfunction.
“At this time it appears to be a mechanical malfunction, but we’ll let the fire marshal do his investigation,” Andrews said.
In addition to Citizens Engine Co. No. 2 and Great Hill Hose Co. from Seymour, Oxford firefighters responded to the scene as well. Firefighters from Beacon Falls were called into Seymour in case another call came in.
