Fire Reported at Freeport Press Building in New Philadelphia
NEW PHILADELPHIA (May 1, 2026) — A fire at Freeport Press on Thursday afternoon was quickly brought under control, and no injuries were reported.
New Philadelphia Assistant Fire Chief Matt Tharp said crews were called to the printing plant at about 12:30 p.m. for an industrial structure fire involving a paper hopper used in the company’s recycling process. The hopper collects shredded, unused paper for baling.
Firefighters found the fire contained inside the machine, with no extension to the rest of the factory or the roof. Crews were able to extinguish the fire without further damage.
Plant employees evacuated the building for approximately an hour as a precaution. Operations resumed after firefighters confirmed the fire had not spread and cleared smoke from the building.
Tharp said the cause of the fire remains under investigation, and damage to the hopper is still being assessed.
