Production resumes at Bridgestone plant struck by fire

From Rubber & Plastics News

Tokyo-Production has reportedly resumed at Bridgestone Corp.'s truck and bus tyre plant in Amagi, Japan.

A fire broke out in the factory 20 Aug and was extinguished that day. Thirteen people suffered injuries, including burns and smoke inhalation, according to a Bridgestone statement. The cause of the fire or its damage were not immediately known.

Local media said the tyre maker resumed production 25 Aug, though the company did not issue a formal statement.

Bridgestone dealt with another fire last year at its Tochigi facility.

"In spite of devising effective disaster prevention schemes traditionally and also re-ensuring in response to the fire at Tochigi plant, I do apologise anew for causing this situation again," chairman and ceo Shigeo Watanabe said in the statement. "I will work to devise effective disaster prevention schemes anew across the board, while the cause of the fire is now under investigation."

The 378 000 sq. m Amagi plant produces truck and bus radial tyres with 746 employees. Capacity is listed as 12000 units a day.