Midlothian Steel Plant Catches Fire: Authorities

Authorities said a fire at a Midlothian steel mill has been contained and will be allowed to burn itself out.

Midlothian Fire Department officials said the one-alarm fire started at the Gerdau Long Steel plant in the 300 block of Ward Road at about 5:45 a.m. No injuries were reported.

NBC 5 viewers reported hearing an explosion at about the same time.

Gerdau spokeswoman Kim Selph said the fire in a nonproduction area also involved tire wire, which has rubber on it and is recycled for steelmaking.

"This was a freak event from what we can tell at this point," Midlothian Fire Chief Dale McCaskill said. "And for nobody to get hurt, that’s always our goal."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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