YUMA, Ariz. (AP) -- The lack of hydrants on the premises of a metal stamping plant hampered firefighting efforts and contributed to a $5 million loss at the plant, said a fire department spokesman.
The Barco Metal Stamping Plant burned on Monday night, destroying the building, materials and dyes. But some of the loss was preventable, said Steve Legros, a spokesman for the Yuma Fire Department.
``If there would have been adequate water supply on site, we would have saved, if not the entire building, a good portion of that building,'' Legros said.
The industrial property, located on a county island in the city, is required under state law to have hydrants or alternative water sources, but an assistant state fire marshal said private companies are rarely inspected.
Assistant state fire marshal John Rowlinson said there was no requirement for Barco to submit anything to the state, and there was little chance the plant would have been inspected.
Ronald Tampa, a co-owner of Barco, said he had never thought about fire hydrants on the property before Monday night's fire.
``I honestly don't remember thinking about it,'' he said. ``I don't recall anyone saying anything about it.''
He hopes to use insurance money to rebuild the plant, which makes metal parts for lighting fixtures.
Information from: The Sun
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