Claremont, North Carolina (From news reports) -- A lithium ion battery sparked a damaging fire inside a Catawba County plant Wednesday, May 13, according to firefighters.

Crews say the fire inside the Smurfit Westrock facility in Claremont started when a worker accidentally dropped a battery-powered flashlight into a compactor and smashed it.

Smurfit Westrock produces specialized paper products and packaging solutions.

It took firefighters about two and a half hours to get the blaze under control.

Officials said no one was hurt.