An early morning fire July 6 destroyed a packaging plant operated by North Shore Strapping Co. in Brooklyn Heights, Ohio.
No one was injured in the blaze, which was reported around 3 a.m. Firefighters from at least 12 fire departments responded to the fire at the facility, which was closed at the time, according to Jim Wheeler, assistant fire chief in neighboring Independence.
Firefighters took a defensive approach to the fire, Wheeler said by phone July 7, because of its intensity and because of the presence of petroleum-based plastic products such as packaging film. Several propane and acetylene tanks also exploded while firefighters were fighting the blaze. The roof of the building also caved in.
The fire was under control by early afternoon. Wheeler said the building is most likely a total loss. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Brooklyn Heights is about 10 miles south of Cleveland.
Plastic products made by North Shore Strapping include cushioned packaging wrap, polyethylene foam rolls and bubble mailers. The firm also converts stretch film and makes non-plastic packaging such as paper rolls and laminated paper corner boards.
North Coast Strapping was founded in 1982 and also operates a plant in Los Angeles, according to the firm's web site.