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Electrical Problem Blamed For Fire At St. Pete Business

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 1, 2007

Updated: 10/01/2007 08:15 am

ST. PETERSBURG - A fire this morning at an orthopedics manufacturing plant was caused by an electrical malfunction, fire officials said.

A three-alarm fire broke out just before 4 a.m. at Alps South Corp., a 20,000-square-foot plant at 2895 42nd Ave. N., said Capt. Larry Thompson of the Lealman Fire District.

No employees were in the plant, Thompson said. Some 80 firefighters were called to the scene, and the blaze was extinguished in 30 to 40 minutes, Thompson said.

A machine related to the molding process used to shape products was set to turn on automatically, but there was an electrical malfunction and it burned up, Thompson said.

Damage was limited to the area around machine, but there was smoke damage throughout the plant, Thompson said. He doesn't expect it to reopen for a week or so.

Alps South manufactures orthopedic and prosthetic appliances and shoes, according to its Web site.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.

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