Latex Foam plant destroyed in fire

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 5/21/2001 12:00:00 AM

ANSONIA, CT — Latex Foam Products (LFP) suffered a devastating loss when its main production facility was virtually destroyed by a fire last week.

LFP, based here, and DuPont Sleep Products had been working together since September 2000 on a variety of pillow and mattress pad products.

According to published reports, the fire began inside one of the plant's latex rubber mattress dryers at approximately 9:30 a.m on May 14. Fanned by high winds, the flames soon engulfed the 10-acre, 284,000-square-foot facility.

No injuries were reported among LFP employees, but six Ansonia firefighters were sent to a nearby hospital.

"We are deeply saddened by this tragedy, but we are relieved that all of our employees are safe and unharmed," said Jim Morrell, director, health and safety, LFP, in a statement. "The company is committed to the local community and wants to assess the damage and move ahead."

To address the contamination of the river, LFP retained the services of environmental firm Clean Harbors, which will work under the oversight of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).