BROOKINGS – No one was injured when a fire broke out at the 3M medical equipment plant late Monday night, according to the Brookings Fire Department.
The fire was reported at 10:49 p.m. Monday and occurred at 601 22nd Ave. S., Fire Chief Darrell Hartmann said.
“A fire occurred in the Coating department and was isolated to a portion of one machine. The fire was extinguished utilizing plant fire suppression systems and through the efforts of the 3M emergency response team,” Hartmann said.
“Fire Department personnel supported the 3M Emergency Squad in locating and extinguishing several hidden fires and checking for fire extension in other parts of the plant to ensure that the fire was completely out,” he said.
“With employee safety the top priority, the facility was evacuated for a short period of time. There were no injuries, no environmental impacts, and property damage was minor,” Hartmann said.
“An investigation by 3M is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire. Once the cause is determined and corrective actions complete, the equipment will be returned to service. Operations in all non-impacted departments have returned to normal,” Hartmann said.
Fire crews were on the scene until 1:36 a.m. Tuesday, he added.
