More than 40 firefighters responded to a call Saturday night to the Ardagh Group on Facet Road. Bearpond Volunteer Fire Department Chief Chris Pendergrass said the call about a glass leak came in about 10:20 p.m.
While the first units were on their way to the scene, firefighters got word that a tank had collapsed and flames were visible.
Firefighters from across the county helped, as well as departments from Franklin County. Crews remained at the scene for more than three hours, providing fire suppression, structural cooling and product containment.
The glass plant is still operational, he said. Damage was contained to the areas of the single tank that was involved. Apparently, the source of the incident was a furnace that holds molten glass before it is transferred through the machinery that creates the glass products. Pendergrass said the molten glass, at that point in the process, was about 2,800 degrees F.
Bearpond Fire Department got help from Epsom, Kittrell, Watkins, Vance County fire department, as well as Vance County EMS, Vance County Emergency Management and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Pendergrass, all employees were accounted for; no injuries were reported.
“Initial crews reported fire on multiple floors as well in the ceiling area,” Pendergrass said.
A fifth department was requested for additional manpower. Fire units would operate for roughly 3.5 hours. providing fire suppression, structural cooling and product containment.
“This incident is a true reflection of our great collaboration and working relationship between our departments and mutual aid partners,” Pendergrass said.
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