Smithfield fire accidental, chief says

By Kathryn Kemp

November 17, 2005 | SMITHFIELD -- It has been confirmed that the fire that destroyed Mortimer Pallets in Smithfield Tuesday night was an accident.

The fire erupted just after 9:30 Tuesday night at the pallet production company at 40 W. 400 South. Smithfield City Fire Chief Jay Downs said they had the fire completely contained by about 11 p.m. and worked on hot spots until between 3:30 and 4 a.m. The cause was not determined until Wednesday after a joint investigation with the police department.

Downs said they believe the cause of the fire was hot metal sparks landing in some sawdust and sparking it up. They believe the sparks came from a chop saw hitting nails in pallets that were being recycled.

Downs estimated about $200,000 worth of damage was done to the building, which was almost completely destroyed. The walls of the structure are still standing, but aside from a few stacks of pallets, everything else was destroyed. He was unsure if Mortimer had insurance.

There was some heat damage to the houses nearby, but other than that the nearby homes were safe, he reported.

Downs acknowledged Wednesday afternoon that the investigation is over. "We're very confident that it's accidental," he said.

The owner of the company, Delon Mortimer, could not be reached for comment.

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