Former Clark Equipment building catches fire

Published 3:52 pm Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Firefighters use ladders to access a fire on the roof of a vacant industrial building on River Street in Buchanan Tuesday afternoon. Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

Firefighters use a ladder to access a fire on the roof of a vacant industrial building on River Street in Buchanan Tuesday afternoon. Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

BUCHANAN — A roof fire on the former Clark Equipment factory in Buchanan kept firefighters from three different stations busy Tuesday afternoon.

Buchanan City Fire responded to a call shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday of a possible roof fire at the vacant factory on River Street, located behind Lowery’s Meat & Grocery.

Fire Chief Robert Adams said he saw smoke, but no flames when he arrived on scene. Firefighters used ladders to access the roof and put out what turned out to be a small roof fire.

It was called in by construction workers prepping the factory for demolition Tuesday. Adams said the dry rubberized material on the ceiling caught fire when workers were cutting pipes with a blowtorch.

The fire was under control by 1:20 p.m.

Bertrand Township and Buchanan Township Fire assisted with Galien Township Fire standing by for Buchanan City.