(Arnold) -KTRS
About 150 employees of The Metal Container Corporation in Arnold had to be evacuated after the fire started around 7:30 last night. No employees were hurt.
The plant makes cans and lids for Anheuser-Busch and soft drink companies. A-B sunk 160-million dollars into expanding the plant last year.
Firefighters from Festus, High Ridge, Mehlville, Rock Community and Arnold joined forces on a rotating basis bringing about 30 engines to battle the smokey fire.
It got into the ductwork of the building at 42 Can Lane forcing firefighters to break down walls looking for hotspots.
Several firefighters experienced heat exhaustion and had to take breaks at a temporary re-hab station at the scene. One was reportedly taken to a hospital suffering from heat exhaustion.
The cause is still be investigated and even though the fire was reportedly contained after 10 last night, some first responders stayed at the plant into the early morning hours looking for any remaining hotspots.
