Alternate Fuel Factory Ignites in Southern Japan

A factory that produces solid fuel from refuse paper and plastic caught fire Tuesday morning in southern Japan, local media reports.

The fire threatens to extend into adjoining factories in this coastal city.

At about 5:41 a.m., fire broke out at the Ebisu Ehime Mill in Shikokuchuo City. The factory produces RPF (Refuse Paper and Plastic Fuel) a high-quality boiler fuel made from non-reclaimable paper and plastic waste as raw material.

Workers reported that smoke was pouring from machines inside the factory. It was also reported that the fire had spread into the fuel pulp supply.

Eleven fire trucks were dispatched to the fire scene in an industrial area of the city.