Local

Catawba County warehouse fire ruled accidental

CLAREMONT, N.C. — A lithium ion battery sparked a damaging fire inside a Catawba County plant Wednesday, according to firefighters.

Crews say the fire inside the WestRock Company in Claremont started just after 8 p.m. when a worker accidentally dropped a battery-powered flashlight into a compactor and smashed it.

WestRock Company produces specialized paper products and packaging solutions.

It took firefighters about two and a half hours to get the blaze under control.

Officials said no one was hurt.

0