Area firefighters standby as others work inside the Metal Container Corp. in Arnold during a three-alarm fire at the beer can manufacturer on Thursday, May 16, 2024.

ARNOLD — A fire that spread from a metal oven Thursday morning damaged a beer-can processing plant here.

No one was injured in the three-alarm fire.

The Metal Container Corp. is on Tenbrook Industrial Court.

Crews from the Rock Community Fire Protection District were dispatched to the factory around 6:20 a.m., and upon arrival, they observed black smoke billowing from the building’s rooftop.

They were joined by several mutual-aid companies, totaling approximately 10 fire departments.

According to Alyson Rotter, the public information officer for the Rock fire district, the fire had been brought under control by about 7:30 a.m..

Rotter stated that the building suffered minimal damage and that the employees were permitted to return and continue their work. Investigators believe the fire was accidental, likely starting within a metal oven, added Rotter.

On Thursday, May 16, 2024, employees at the Metal Container Corp in Arnold were forced to evacuate due to a three-alarm fire at the beer can manufacturing facility.

The Saline Valley Fire Protection District from Fenton were on the scene, handling the significant fire at the Metal Container Corp. This plant is known for its beer can production.

Firefighters across the nation have expressed increasing worries about their gear, which may be laced with the toxic industrial compound PFAS. There’s a growing belief that these substances might be contributing to elevated cancer rates amongst their ranks. A hot topic of discussion, PFAS, or per- and polyfluorinated substances, are referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ due to their resistance to breaking down over time. These hazardous compounds can be found in a multitude of products, including food packaging and clothing, and have been associated with numerous health issues, among them being different types of cancer. Specifically in the firefighting profession, the compound is applied to turnout gear, aiding in the repellence of water and other liquids during fire combat situations.

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