Rick Moriarty
syracuse.com
(TNS)

Scriba, N.Y. – More than 1,000 workers are back on the job at the massive Novelis aluminum plant in Oswego County two weeks after a fire forced its shutdown.

Novelis spokesperson Lauren Thompson said Tuesday that all 1,150 employees have returned to work while the facility resumes operations.

She said the plant’s cold mill and finishing areas are “back online and operational.” And power is being restored to the facility’s remelt/recycle area, which is expected to restart soon, she said.

She said the fire was contained to the hot mill but that other production areas were impacted, mainly by water poured onto the plant by firefighters.

“According to Thompson, structural damage from the fire is limiting the company’s ability to fully assess the hot mill’s equipment. However, work to stabilize the structure is nearly complete, she said.

Based on information the company has at this time, restoration of the hot mill is expected in the first three months of 2026, she said.

In the meantime, the company is coordinating with Novelis plants worldwide to source material and minimize customer interruptions, she said.

Thompson said the cause of the fire is still being investigated.

“We are thankful no one was injured and appreciate the support we have received from local first responders and the larger community,” she said.

The fire broke out about 10 p.m. Sept. 16, drawing firefighters from more than 20 departments to the plant on Route 1A in Scriba. It took four hours to extinguish.

Employees safely evacuated the plant. But the fire forced the plant to temporarily close operations and idle its 1,150 workers.

Novelis, one of Oswego County’s largest employers, has said all the plant’s workers would be paid during the temporary closure. The company has said it is insured for property damage and business interruption losses related to such events, subject to deductibles and policy limits.

Novelis makes rolled aluminum for the automotive and other industries at the plant and also melts and recycles aluminum scrap at the facility.

©2025 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit syracuse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The post Fire-Damaged NY Aluminum Plant Partially Reopens; Company Trying to Minimize Interruptions appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Clara Harter – Los Angeles Times

Three passengers in a medical helicopter were in critical condition after the craft smashed into Highway 50 in Sacramento — an impact so violent that first responders were stunned anyone emerged alive. One passenger was ejected and landed 10 feet away from the chopper, and another was pinned beneath the wreckage, authorities said.

“I’m shocked that anyone actually was talking and awake or living through all of this,” said Sacramento Fire Department spokesperson Capt. Justin Sylvia.

A red REACH air ambulance helicopter crashed into the eastbound lanes of Highway 50 just west of 59th Street with three staff members on board at 7:08 p.m. Monday, he said. Two female staff members and one male staff member were transported to a hospital in critical condition.

The first fire captain on scene used the help of about 15 bystanders to lift part of the helicopter off one of the victims who was trapped underneath, Sylvia said. Another victim was rescued from a helicopter chair that was ejected during the crash.

It appeared that the helicopter augered into the dirt embankment on the side of the highway, tearing up weeds with its tail rotor before skidding across five freeway lanes.

REACH air ambulances are used to transport patients to hospitals, often from rural or hard-to-reach places. At the time of the crash, there were no patients on board, and it was not immediately known what caused the accident.

“We are aware of an accident involving a REACH Air Medical helicopter on Highway 50 in Sacramento this evening and are keeping all those impacted in our thoughts and prayers,” the company said in a statement shared with The Times. “We are in the process of determining the details of this situation, as well as the condition of the REACH crew involved, who were all taken to area hospitals. We will continue to provide information as it becomes available.”

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