(Published Thursday, August 2, 2007 11:30:12 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
Gazette Staff
Thanks to its sprinkler system, the Janesville Recycling Center is back to work today after an early morning fire.
The fire started directly under a sprinkler head in the staging area where employees prepare paper and cardboard for baling, Lt. Cedric Hathway said. At 2:40 a.m. a passer-by called to report heavy smoke rolling from the back of the center at 340 Black Bridge Road.
The sprinkler contained the fire to a 40-by-10-square-foot space, Hathway said, and prevented damage to equipment.
"So they were back in business when we left at 7:30 this morning," Hathway said.
The Janesville Police Department closed Black Bridge Road until 6:15, Hathway said, so firefighters could stretch hoses from the hydrant across the street. It took about 3,000 feet of hose to get the job done, and firefighters were still rolling hoses at 8:30 this morning.
The alert caller and the sprinkler system saved the building, firefighters said.
"The sprinkler system did a really good job of holding the fire in check," said Capt. Bill Ruchti. "That's probably what saved the building."
