UTICA, N.Y. (AP) -- Federal regulators have fined F.X. Matt Brewing Co. $5,000 for safety violations following a fire that destroyed the company's bottling facilities.
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials say the fine was reduced from $7,000 after the brewery took steps to correct violations.
The blaze started accidentally in May when two employees working on a welding project inadvertently melted a plastic conveyor belt. The fire caused $10 million in damages to the company's bottling operations, affecting production for a month.
The agency cited the brewery for multiple serious violations in connection with the fire, including welding without the removal of fire hazards. Another citation was for not having a person responsible for monitoring welding.
