WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Welding work is suspected of causing a fire at a Wichita pet treat plant where another fire burned for days two years ago.
KWCH-TV reports employees escaped unhurt when the fire erupted Thursday afternoon in a building at the Treatco complex in north Wichita.
Capt. Stuart Bevis, of the Wichita Fire Department, says a welding spark apparently ignited combustible plastic foam material. The burning foam sent thick, black smoke into the air, visible for miles away.
Authorities said parts of the building remain unsafe because of damage from a fire that burned for more than five days in June 2011. That fire was especially intense because the flames ignited boxes full of dog treats that had a heavy content of animal fat.
