A fire of unknown origin has extensively damaged the Federal-Mogul Corp. (USA) Bimet engine bearing manufacturing facility and attached warehouse in Gdansk, Poland.

The blaze broke out about 9:30pm; reports vary as to whether it began in the plating line area or in the warehouse.


A full complement of second shift workers was on site, but all were evacuated safely.

Less than an hour after it started, the building's roof collapsed, but once again no one was injured.

At its peak, more than 25 fire companies responded to the call. Their direct involvement was limited by the potential risk of exposure to large quantities of toxic and otherwise dangerous chemicals on site.

Firefighters were eventually able to control the blaze and stop its progression to other areas of the plant where more hazardous materials were housed.

Damage is extensive and the facility has been shut down; the extent and length of the shutdown and any rebuilding effort is unknown.

Federal-Mogul acquired Bimet in 1998, after the state-run bearing plant was privatized in 1994.

In 2004, the Federal-Mogul distribution center in Smithville, Tennessee was destroyed by fire.

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In 2007, a fire in the plating area extensively damaged Miba's engine bearing plant in McConnelsville, Ohio. It is the former F-M Glacier Clevite Heavywall bearing plant.

article: Fire damages Miba's McConnelsville bearing plant