Fire Damages Fuquay-Varina Plant

Multiple fire crews battled the blaze at the Guilford Mills plant at 200 Dickens Road about 7 p.m. Monday, according to Raleigh emergency officials.

No was hurt, but plant employees said 32 workers were evacuated when the fire started in an area of the building that holds spools of yarn.

Fire officials are still investigating the cause of the fire, but they are not considering it suspicious at this time.

A sprinkler system inside the building is credited with helping to contain the fire, but many of the fabrics and machinery are soaking wet, according to officials. About 4 inches of water has collected on the floor.

The plant's workers were allowed back inside the building late Monday evening to get their belongings before leaving. Utility crews were also at the scene to shut off power and gas lines inside the building.

The Guilford Mills plant was in the news back in 2005, after the company laid off 130 workers. At the time, it was one of Fuquay-Varina's largest employers.

A company spokesman blamed a downturn in demand for their products for the layoffs.