Longview Fibre fire causes $100,000 in damage

A fire Thursday evening at the Longview Fibre box plant caused about $100,000 in damage to the building and machinery, Yakima fire officials said. No one was injured.

The fire set off the plant's sprinkler system, which kept the blaze in check until plant personnel were able to use a hoseline to extinguish the fire. Firefighters responded to the alarm about 6:40 p.m.

Officials believe the fire may have been started by heat igniting glue and cardboard dust around the machinery. Located on Longview Fibre road off Ahtanum near Union Gap, the plant makes corrugated boxes for the food industry.

The damage was described as moderate and an investigation into the cause is continuing, fire officials said.

-- Leah Beth Ward