Fire Guts Midwest Padding factory, Neb. plant 'a complete loss'

A fire started during the manufacturing process swept through a carpet padding plant in Norfolk, Neb., and left the 50,000 square foot facility in ruins. None of the 25 people working at Midwest Padding were injured but the fire reportedly caused about $5 million in damage.

"The good news is no one was hurt but the factory is a complete loss," said the company's director of sales, Jack Boesch. "We use a high heat process in our manufacturing. Occasionally a spark will flare up but our fire suppression system usually catches it. I guess this time it didn't."