Source: http://notes.sej.org
-- A four-alarm fire gutted one of the largest rotational molding companies in the country. Firefighters from Caldwell, Nampa, Wilder, Star, Middleton and Parma worked together to put out the blaze at the Rotonics Manufacturing Inc. plant in Caldwell on Tuesday. Apparently, an oven used to make the products is the reason it went up in flames. From miles away, you could see thick plumes of smoke billowing into the air. ... 'Because of the smoke and heat and involvement in there, they [firefighters] backed out,' said Richard Davies, Nampa Deputy Fire Chief. Instead, the 40 firefighters poured water into every opening they could find and create. ... Fire officials estimate the damage done to the facility and equipment at $3 million. They believe the whole building will probably have to be replaced. The blaze at the plastics plant almost forced the evacuation of a nearby school. Van Buren Elementary is just two blocks away from Rotonics Manufacturing. Because of the heavy amounts of smoke in the air and toxic chemicals burning, school administrators were concerned about the safety of the nearly 500 students at the school. They decided to take a proactive approach by getting the kids ready to be evacuated to other nearby schools. 'We had 14 buses within five minutes ready to move the children -- teachers and kids ready to go. ...'"
Video link here: Caldwell Plant Fire
Read it here: http://www.fox12news.com/Global/story.asp?S=7322015