Workers return to still-smoldering site

SOUTH SALT LAKE — A few Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. employees returned to work Tuesday to start sorting through the aftermath of a $10 million fire.

According to Cary Johannes, the company's manager of communications, none of the equipment or materials involved in the processes of making paper containers was shut down properly. They need to be cleaned and inspected to determine if they are safe for operation, Johannes said.

The Friday night fire was contained in the yard at 2357 South and 900 West where it burned stockpiles of paper but did not damage any portion of the building. Office spaces received minimal damage when ceiling sprinklers went off because of the overheated roof, she said from her office in Missouri.

Johannes said she isn't sure when all 454 employees will be called back to work and 24-hour operations can begin again.

"We're pretty much still shocked," she said.

Officials hope the plant will be back to full operation as soon as possible and have already ordered roll stock to replace what was burned.

Meanwhile, they are not allowed back in the yard where the fire occurred.

The fire's point of origin has been found in the northeast corner of the yard, said Paul Vido, the special agent in charge of the federal investigation team, but the area is restricted as a potential crime scene.

Investigators won't know if the fire was accidental or arson until the cause is identified. Until that is determined, only officers involved with the investigation are allowed into the area.

That also means the South Salt Lake Fire Department is not allowed to bulldoze the area and fully extinguish the fire until the investigation is completed.

Consequently, Fire Chief Steve Foote's crew has been working in shifts controlling the still-smoldering hot spots until the bulldozer is allowed in.

"My department has been devastated by this because it's so ongoing," Foote said.

Three men are required to man the fire engine around the clock. Even though West Valley City has donated a ladder truck and relief crews, the stress is beginning to take its toll on the South Salt Lake firefighters, who don't know when it will end.

"We're here as long as they're here," Foote said of the investigation.

The constant smoke, fatigue and 90-degree weather are making men sick.

One captain had not been relieved during the whole 72 hours because he has to split his time between the fire and manning the station.

Even though his crews are exhausted, calls are still coming in, and the department has to respond with its two reserve engines. A garage fire Monday night and a house fire Tuesday were the latest, though it's been busy all week, he said.

Foote said he couldn't be prouder of his crews and is grateful for the team effort involved.

"This is unprecedented cooperation," he said. "It's our finest hour. Every city supported us in this operation."

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