A fire at the Muscatine Power and Water power plant Tuesday afternoon was caused by an equipment failure.
Around 12:35 p.m., an equipment failure at the power plant caused lubricant to leak onto hot pipes, causing a fire, according to a press release from Brandy Olsen, director of legal and regulatory services at Muscatine Power and Water.
The Muscatine Fire Department was called to the power plant at 1700 Dick Drake Way around 1:37 p.m., and the fire was declared under control around 3:13 p.m., according to Mike Hartman, assistant chief and fire marshal with the Muscatine Fire Department.
When firefighters arrived on scene, they found light to moderate smoke throughout the building. The fire was contained, but still smoldering, according to Hartman.
Because water could have caused further damage, Hartman said three different types of fire extinguishers were used.
"The trick with that was utilization of fire extinguishers, and getting the equipment cooled," he said.
Olsen said no employees were injured, but one complained of heat exhaustion.