Story originally printed in the Tomah Journal or online at www.tomahjournal.com

Published - Monday, April 14, 2008

Toro facility evacuated after filtration system fills building with smoke

The Tomah Fire Department was called to the Toro facility around 8 a.m. today (Monday) for a report of smoke in the building.

Upon arrival, firefighters found thick smoke in the facility. The origin of the smoke was found to be the welders’ smoke air filtration system. Fire Chief Kevin Decorah said an official cause is still being investigated.

The building was evacuated and a large amount of water was put through the filtration system by the Tomah Fire Department. Decorah said that roughly 72 filters in Toro’s welding unit were rinsed.

“We had to take many of the filters out to get rid of the smoke,” Decorah said. “It was pretty thick smoke.”

The Tomah Ambulance Service and Tomah Police Department were also at the scene. One Toro employee was treated for slight smoke inhalation, according to Decorah. The Fort McCoy Fire Department also assisted. Firefighters were on the scene for over two hours.

Toro’s Tomah Facility Director of Operations Jim Starkweather said that it appears some of the filters were overheated. Toro re-opened at noon.

“We removed the weld smoke from the facility,” Starkweather said. “I am very proud of our workforce. They evacuated appropriately and everyone is safe.”

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