Incident Summary
The Madison Fire Department was dispatched to Kipp Corporation at 10:50 AM Tuesday for a reported fire on the roof. The fire was said to involve liquid aluminum used in die casting operations.
Upon arrival, firefighters were met by an employee who directed them inside the manufacturing floor. Firefighters found light smoke throughout the structure and active fire at the ceiling and roof line.
Several employees advised that directly below the fire were several operating machines containing molten aluminum. Firefighters were cautioned that no water should come in contact with that material. Employees had already used multiple dry chemical extinguishers to attempt to put out the fire in the ceiling area.
Engine 3 made their way to the roof. They opened up the roof to find fire and smoke beneath, which was spreading. Engine 3 discharged their extinguisher and requested that Ladder 1 come to the roof with additional equipment to gain better access to the affected building components. Meanwhile, interior crews located a rack of about a dozen fire extinguishers and brought them outside to be shuttled to the firefighters on the roof. Engine 3 and Ladder 1 continued opening the roof and applying extinguishers to involved areas for an extended period of time.
After receiving assurances from a plant manager that the underlying equipment inside the building was covered and protected, and that water could be used without concern, firefighters began to apply water to fully extinguish the fire. Knockdown was achieved at 11:50 AM. They continued to cool down any affected areas with water to prevent a rekindle.
