Lou Whitmire

Reporter

MANSFIELD - The State Fire Marshals Office is continuing to investigate an early Monday morning fire at Hi-Point Fire Arms that caused heavy damage to the offices of the gun manufacturer.

Around 7 a.m., employees standing across the street from the plant at 1015 Springmill St. were asked to come in to work at other buildings which were not affected by the fire in the front building.

An employee asked media to leave the property and requested no coverage of the fire due to the nature of the business.

Madison Township Fire Department Capt. Mike Shears said no one was inside the plant at the time of the 5 a.m. fire and there were no injuries fighting the fire.

Heavy black smoke was showing from all the eves when the fire firefighters showed up, "which mean you had heavy fire," Shears said.

He said Mansfield Fire Department provided a full crew and ladder truck. Mutual aid was provided by Springfield, Madison and Franklin township fire departments. He said the fire was contained within 45 minutes.

Shears said the heaviest fire damage was contained to the office area, and there was only slight smoke and damage to the rest of the building where machines were located.