Scriba, N.Y. – More than 1,000 workers at the giant Novelis aluminum plant in Oswego County will be paid while the company evaluates the damage done by a fire that shut down the facility Tuesday, the company said Thursday.
Karen Judd, a spokesperson for Atlanta-based Novelis, said the company is in the early stages of assessing the full impact of the fire, but added that the plant’s 1,150 employees will continue to be paid during the downtime.
“Production is currently halted at the plant as we investigate the cause of the fire and determine the extent of operational impact,” she said in a statement to syracuse.com | The Post-Standard.
“Our top priority is employee well-being as we assess the situation and what will be needed to safely get the plant back online and we do not expect this to negatively impact employment at the plant.”
The fire broke out about 10 p.m. Tuesday and took firefighters from more than 20 departments four hours to extinguish.
Novelis said the fire was mostly confined to the roof of the plant, which makes rolled aluminum for the automotive and other industries.
Employees evacuated the plant during the fire, and there were no injuries, the company said.
The plant, off Route 1A in Scriba, is one of Oswego County’s largest employers.
Judd said the company has been in touch with customers and suppliers to “address business continuity and navigate any potential disruptions” while the plant is shut down.