NINE TREATED FOR SMOKE INHALATION AFTER M&W FIRE

Eight employees of M&W Packaging and one rural firefighter were taken to a hospital as a precaution against smoke inhalation following a fire at the M&W plant on Highway 177 north of Cape Girardeau Wednesday night.

At least two rural fire departments responded to the fire, which was contained by M&W's own fire brigade, said Diane Bauman, human resources manager at the plant.

M&W President Paul Wiedlin said the brigade has about 35 members.

Local volunteer fire departments, including Millersville and Fruitland, responded to the fire as a precaution, said Bauman.

Cause of the fire, which broke out at about 7 p.m. in the printing department, was not yet known. Wiedlin said a damage assessment was being done, and production resumed later in the night.

He said there was more smoke than fire, and the plant was immediately evacuated.