Fire at WCI shuts down blast furnace

HOWLAND — Friday’s fire at WCI Steel in Warren Township has idled the blast furnace for awhile.

There were no injuries, the Warren Township Fire Department reported.

The fire began around 8:10 p.m., fire department officials said. It started at the blast furnace on Main Street.

Tim Roberts, spokesman for WCI, said Saturday the fire ignited about halfway to the top of the furnace.

The company is investigating to determine the cause and the extent of the damage, Robert said. Meanwhile, the furnace is down.

The furnace makes iron from scratch out of iron ore, limestone and coke. The molten iron is then converted to steel, Roberts said.

He said about 100 to 120 people work at the furnace, and they are still reporting to work.

The township’s fire department was assisted by Howland, Warren city and Lordstown departments. The fire was out by around 9:30 p.m., Roberts said.