The quick-thinking of employees of the Ashley Furniture warehouse on S. Harlan Road and a prompt response by the Lathrop Manteca Fire District averted possible tragedy over the weekend.
According to the agency, engines from the district as well as the Manteca Fire Department were dispatch to the large warehouse at around 5:30 p.m. Sunday night after a fire began in a cardboard compactor behind the building.
Crews quickly worked to extinguish the blaze, and their word did not interrupt the normal business operations for the furniture showroom or warehouse.
According to the district, the store had verified that all customers were safe and accounted for when first responders arrived – allowing them to focus on extinguishing the before it potentially spread into the building.
The massive cardboard compactor, according to the district, is something that they’re familiar with – oftentimes, according to the release about the incident, materials become stuck inside and bind together which creates problems when the device is operated.
“The actions of our firefighters show our commitment to our business partners by ensuring they are back open as quickly as possible,” the release read. “Also, it’s not uncommon for cardboard compactors of this size to get stuck and bound with materials creating friction.
“Great work was also done by our partners in safety at Ashley Furniture to ensure everyone’s safety.”
As Lathrop grows, the fire district tasked with providing services to it also must meet the challenges that growth provides – whether that’s new residential neighborhoods or large industrial businesses with their own unique challenges.
In addition to the large warehouse buildings that Lathrop has added in recent years, the Lathrop Manteca Fire District also has to plan for potential issues involving a fertilizer plant, a railroad switchyard and loading facility, a river, and the junction of a busy highway and an interstate.
To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.
