Fire Quickly Contained at Walnut Creek Planing
SUGARCREEK (WJER) (Nov. 12, 2026) – A quick response by employees and firefighters helped keep a Wednesday afternoon fire from spreading at Walnut Creek Planing in Sugarcreek Township.
Sugarcreek Fire crews were sent just before 12:45 p.m. to the facility on Shetler Road after a fire broke out inside a large sanding machine. Assistant Fire Chief Cody Shetler says plant employees used fire extinguishers and built-in safety systems to contain the blaze before firefighters arrived.
Crews worked with maintenance staff to dismantle parts of the machine, extinguish hot spots, and check the dust collection system to make sure the fire had not spread through the ductwork. Officials say the safeguards functioned as designed, keeping the fire confined to a single piece of equipment.
Seven employees were evaluated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation and exposure to fire extinguisher powder, but none required hospital treatment.
Crews remained on scene for about two hours, and the damaged machine is expected to be repaired rather than replaced. No damage estimate has been released.