A smoldering fire in a paper shredder apparently sparked last week’s blaze at Piranha Mobile Shredding.
Evansville fire investigator Tim Strange says in a news release that workers at the business in the 1700 block of W. Franklin St. confirmed there had been a fire in the shredder last Thursday.
Workers told Strange a three-ring binder that contained metal caused sparks as it went thru the shredder.
They said it happens occasionally and the company even has a procedure and a water hose at the machine to extinguish such fires.
Strange says workers thought they had the fire completely extinguished before leaving at the end of their shift.
But early the next morning, firefighters were called to the business, discovered smoke and flames, and called for a second alarm.
It took firefighters several hours to put out the blaze, a portion of Franklin St. was shut down, and the large metal building was extensively damaged.
Strange says evidence observed at the fire scene was consistent with statements given by employees.