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Fire at Xcel Energy Plant Forces Brief Shutdown

Posted on: Thursday, 20 April 2006, 18:00 CDT

By Anne Jungen, La Crosse Tribune, Wis.

Apr. 20--The Xcel Energy waste-burning plant on French Island is expected to accept trash again today after being closed Wednesday by an overnight fire in a shredder area roof.

Authorities still are investigating the cause of the blaze, which broke out just after 10:30 p.m. Tuesday in the rear of the plant, 200 Bainbridge St.

The fire forced evacuation of the plant, but no employees were injured and damage appears to have been minimal, said Xcel Energy spokeswoman Chris Ouellette.

The fire is believed to have started in a heavy rubber mat on the roof over a shredder chimney, said La Crosse Fire Division Chief Jim Hotvedt.

Sixteen firefighters spent about two hours extinguishing the blaze. Damage was limited to the chimney roof and did not reach the main building, Hotvedt said.

One firefighter injured a knee but did not require medical attention, he said.

The damaged section of the building was closed until noon Wednesday to repair vent stacks, Ouellette said.

The fire did not affect the plant's ability to generate electricity, which is done by burning refuse-derived fuel and wood chips made from old railroad ties and waste wood from area sawmills, Ouellette said.

La Crosse's Fire Inspection Bureau is continuing to look for a cause.

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Copyright (c) 2006, La Crosse Tribune, Wis.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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XEL,

Source: La Crosse Tribune (La Crosse, Wisc.)

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