Officials at Combined Systems Inc., 388 Kinsman Road, are still trying to determine what caused a fire at one of its buildings Monday afternoon.
The Jamestown plant produces tactical munitions and crowd control devices, and was the scene of a fire in November. It also was the scene of protesters on Jan. 16.
For safety reasons, our news crew was not allowed on the Combined Systems Inc. property during the fire, but Chief Operating Officer Richard Edge provided information on the fire.
A fire broke out in one of the production buildings around noon. At least 10 people were working inside at the time, but no one was injured in the blaze.
More than seven area fire departments responded to the fire, and although it was under control in a little more than an hour, firefighters remained on scene through Monday afternoon.
Edge said the fire most likely started with an equipment malfunction, but it's still too early to tell. He said standard safety procedure is to evacuate the whole complex in the event of a fire, so all of the more than 200 workers on site were evacuated, and then most were sent home for the day.
Edge also said it's too soon to say whether the building is a complete loss.
In November, there was another fire at the Jamestown plant location. That happened in another production building, known as the smokehouse, which was directly next to one that caught fire Monday.
As for two building fires happening in a seemingly short time period, Edge said it is unusual, but "equipment is always upgraded to ensure safety" and "when dealing with pyrotechnics, these things can happen."
No other buildings on the property were damaged.
After the fire in November, the company remained open for business. Although Edge said the company is "fairly flexible," it may not be as easy at it was the last time to remain open.
