Fire at Sapulpa glass plant early Monday leaves plant without power, employees sent home

SAPULPA, Okla. - Operations have been suspended at a Sapulpa glass plant after an early morning fire cut power to the facility.

Fire crews responded to a fire at the Verallia North America glass plant near Interstate 44 and State Highway 66 around 4:30 a.m. Monday.

Officials say a blown transformer sparked a fire outside the plant, but smoke soon filled the building.

About 350 people are employed at Verallia.

Between 40 and 50 employees were in the plant when the fire occurred but no one was injured.

Crews are now working to restore power to the plant and repair any damaged equipment.

Initially, workers were concerned some of the furnaces used to heat the glass were damaged, but Steve Cedoz, plant manager, says the furnaces are stable.

In the meantime, workers were sent home for the day with the exception of a few maintenance employees.

Cedoz didn't have a timeline as to when operations will resume, but he says it's never a good thing when production has to be stopped.

About 3 million recyclable bottles are made at Verallia every day.  They're then used by well-know beer and  beverage brands.