Firefighter injured fighting Mother’s Day Forte fire

MARSHFIELD – Multiple explosions rocked Forte Opening Solutions on Sunday morning, May 11, with flames reaching 30 feet coming from the building.

Marshfield Fire and Rescue said they were called to the factory at about 9:30 a.m.  There, firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the building, according to a release.

 The sprinkler system in the building was working, which helped control the spread. However, there were multiple small fires in extremely hard-to-reach areas, which made it difficult to fight. There also was a risk of other explosions from the dust.

Initially, six firefighters responded; a call was put out for mutual aid and multiple other departments came to the scene as well as 11 off-duty Marshfield firefighters, bringing the total to 26 firefighters. Officials say one firefighter suffered heat-related injuries and was treated and released at the scene.

Crews were on scene for about four hours and an investigation is under way. The explosion and fire caused at least $75,000 in damage, but officials say that could change because multiple explosion doors and ductwork were blasted open.  Other cuts and damage was created by fire crews gaining access to the fire.

Forte Opening Solutions is at 1401 E 4th St. in Marshfield.

Marshfield Fire was assisted by Marshfield Utilities, WE Energies, Wood County Central RIT, Wood County Rehab, Hewitt Fire, Lincoln Fire, Richfield Fire and Arpin Fire.