Wednesday, February 7, 2024 1:00 pm
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PETERSBURG, Va. (From news reports) -- Petersburg fire crews were called around 3 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, to International Paper Company on Wells Road and Halifax Drive. Employees reported a tractor-trailer attached to the facility in the loading dock area was on fire.
The building the tractor-trailer was attached to suffered severe water damage. The fire, which was under control about an hour after crews arrived, caused minimal damage to it. The tractor-trailer filled with compressed paper was destroyed.
In November 2021, a fire contained to one processing machine and some duct work took place at the paper plant at 2333 Wells Road. Plant workers had evacuated the building by the time crews arrived. The blaze was quickly extinguished, but heavy smoke damage occurred. No injuries were reported, and the building had to be ventilated before anyone was let back inside the plant located in southwestern Petersburg.
Employees and first responders have not reported any injuries for the fire that took place on Wednesday, February 7. The cause of the fire has not been determined. It is under investigation, but officials say it appears to be accidental. A delay in production at the paper mill is expected.