Firefighters from throughout the region were called Tuesday afternoon to help battle a fire at a rural Winnebago-area petroleum and natural gas pipeline company, preventing the fire from spreading and potentially triggering an explosion.
Win-Bur-Sew Fire Chief Robert Martin said firefighters were called at about 12:30 p.m. for a fire in a metal warehouse at West Shore Pipeline Company, 7245 Cunningham Road.
“We called in additional resources due to the nature” of substances handled at the site, Martin said. “It was essential we get the fire knocked down quickly.”
The fire was brought under control within 15 minutes, he said. It does not appear to be suspicious in nature, Martin said, but the cause remains under investigation.
Martin said workers in an adjacent building noticed smoke coming from the warehouse, which was not occupied. Various types of pipes are stored in the warehouse, Martin said.
“It looks like the fire smoldered a little bit,” Martin said, adding fire officials still were talking with employees who last had been inside that warehouse.