A chemical fire at PCC Structurals, 2727 Lockheed Way, kept Carson City fire crews at the manufacturing facility well into the night.
The fire off of Airport Road in northeast Carson City was reported about 8:45 a.m. Friday morning. By 9 a.m., witnesses reported seeing plumes of white smoke and then plumes of heavy black smoke, from burning acid according to Carson City Fire officials.
The fire, at the 54,040 square-foot structure, burned through the acid in the building causing a partial roof collapse. The investigation was still ongoing, no estimate on damage to the facility was available Friday night. No injuries also were reported.
It took until nearly 2 p.m. for the Carson City Fire Department along with surrounding agencies and Hazmat crews to have control of the fire.
Nearly a 1.5-mile radius of businesses and homes were evacuated because of the health risk of the toxic fumes. Those impacted were allowed to return home and back to their businesses by 1:30 p.m.
According to City Manager Nick Marano about 50-60 employees of PCC Structurals were able to evacuate and get to their cars and safely leave.
According to the PCC Structurals’ website, the Carson City location produces components for aerospace, energy and commercial applications. Under materials the company says Carson City uses steel, nickel and cobalt-based alloys.
Lyon, Douglas, Storey and East Fork fire crews responded to help fight the fire. The state of Nevada’s 92nd Civil Support Team also was on hand to help with monitoring air quality.
In 1999, Precision Castparts Corp. acquired the Carson City facility, which was under control of Wyman-Gordon of Grafton, Mass.
