Fire damages Woodstock-area manufacturing plant

A manufacturing plant near Woodstock caught fire Tuesday evening.

The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District was called to Vorteq Coil Finishers in the 15900 block of Nelson Road near Woodstock at 7:40 p.m. Tuesday “for a reported fire inside the manufacturing plant,” Woodstock Fire/Rescue District public information officer Alex Vucha said.

An employee inside made the first 911 call, which reported visible fire and the plant filling with smoke, Vucha said.

Firefighters found no visible smoke or flames from the exterior of the building when they arrived, but crews found a smoke-filled interior, Vucha said.

Emergency crews worked to find the fire’s origin, and conditions inside the plant indicated that the fire could extend to the roof, prompting emergency crews to upgrade their response to a working fire.

The upgrade prompted more resources, including more water tenders, fire suppression apparatuses, personnel and change-of-quarters companies, Vucha said.

After an “aggressive and coordinated interior operation,” crews found and extinguished a fire in the ceiling area near an exhaust vent.

All of the plant’s employees had evacuated before the fire department arrived, and no injuries were reported, Vucha said.

After making sure hazards were mitigated and conditions were safe, remaining fire crews cleared the scene at 9:12 p.m. Tuesday, Vucha said.

The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District is investigating the cause of the fire.