Fire at Quad Graphics Due to Problem w/Shredder

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Published on March 12 2019 10:10 am
Last Updated on March 12 2019 10:10 am
Written by Greg Sapp

The fire that damaged equipment at Quad Graphics in Effingham Saturday was due to problems with a paper shredder.

Effingham Assistant Fire Chief Matt Kulesza said the industrial paper shredder overheated and malfunctioned, causing the shredder to send sparks into the vacuum system that then takes the material to the second floor cyclone systems. The cyclone systems sent the material to a bag house, and the material then dropped to the first floor balers.

Kulesza said firefighters worked with Quad Graphics maintenance personnel to disassemble the machines to gain access. All panels and piping were removed to allow water to the areas to contain the fire.

33 firefighters were on scene and used approximately 11,000 gallons of water to fight the fire.

No injuries were reported and all the equipment suffered what Kulesza termed minimal fire damage. There was no structural damage. The dollar value of the damage done is still being determined.

Firefighters were on scene for five hours dealing with the Saturday fire, clearing the scene at 8:32pm.