The Perry Volunteer Fire Department responded to what the Chief says was relatively common fire Wednesday.

Fire Chief Chris Hinds tells Raccoon Valley Radio, they were called to the Wiese Manufacturing plant shortly after 3pm.  A nearby resident reported heavy smoke and an occasional flame coming off the roof of the building.  Firefighters were on scene by 3:18pm to contain the fire to a chimney that comes off a ventilation system that removes smoke and hot air from inside the plant.

Hinds says this exhaust system catches fire roughly two to three times per year because of the “crud” that builds up inside the chimney, much like a creosote fire in a residential fireplace.  He says damage is usually minimal.  Their job in instances like this is to spray water up inside the exhaust unit to cool it down and then put a foam solution down the chimney from the roof.

The Chief says Wiese Manufacturing had a little cleanup to do after the fire but were soon back to business as usual.

Fire crews were on scene for roughly 30 minutes.