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Industrial Plant Fire Investigation Postponed

Plans to inspect a Wahpeton, N.D. industrial plating plant that was destroyed by fire have been put on hold due to hazardous material at the scene.

WAHPETON, N.D. (AP) — Investigators say it may be days before they can start inspecting a Wahpeton industrial plant that was destroyed by fire, because of hazards at the plant.
About 500 people were forced to leave their homes for several hours after the Monday morning fire at the Industrial Plating Corp. plant, which uses chemicals to clean metal.

''That facility is still considered too hazardous to enter and do any work in,'' state Fire Marshal Ray Lambert said Tuesday. Lambert's office will try to determine the cause of the fire, which was reported early Monday.

One firefighter was treated for minor chemical burns on his feet. No other injuries were reported. Residents were allowed to return to their homes late Monday afternoon.

Richland County Emergency Manager Brett Lambrecht said the fire was ''still smoldering a bit'' Tuesday. Firefighters continued to do spot checks of the building, he said.

A Minnesota contractor has been hired to clean up the hazardous material. Lambrecht said the cold weather froze contaminated residue ''in place,'' and should make the mop-up work easier.
Lambrecht also said the air quality in the area was good.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration also plans to investigate the incident to determine whether there was any potential danger to employees, OSHA Area Director Bruce Beelman said.

Officials at the plant are trying to help about 50 employees who are now without jobs.

Anthony Garcia has worked for Industrial Plating Corp. for two and a half years. He said he has a son, and will need insurance.

''I'm looking for a job,'' he said.

Industrial Plating already has already found temporary work for some of its employees at a similar company in Alexandria, Minn. The Wahpeton company serves other businesses that use metal.

''We do roughly plating for 100 plus,'' spokesman Scott Steffens said.

''To rebuild a plating shop is not going to happen in six months,'' Steffens said. ''We are finding some temporary work for these employees ... we're trying to help them as best we can.''
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