Flames contained at Poplar Grinding

Poplar Grinding, 1820 Thunderbolt Dr., is operational today after one of its grinding machines caught fire at 8:48 p.m. on Wednesday.

The fire started when a grinding machine malfunctioned, sparked lubricant on the floor, and shot up the ceiling’s air ducts, according to Porterville Fire Department Battalion Chief Glenn Irish. An employee used a fire extinguisher to smother both fires. Tulare County Fire crew assisted Porterville firefighters in putting out smoldering flames left in the ducts and investigating how the fire started.

Contact The Recorder newsroom at 784-5000, Ext. 1050