Salzgitter’s hot strip mill has stopped production until further notice after a fire caused damage to the facility.

The fire, the cause of which is unknown, hit the upstream area of the hot strip mill at strip-making division Salzgitter Flachstahl on 25 February, Kallanish learns from a statement sent upon request. “Due to damage and, consequently, the necessary emergency repairs, production at our hot strip mill is currently disrupted,” the statement reads.

Production units downstream of the hot strip mill will presumably therefore not be able to produce at full capacity until the necessary repairs are completed. “We are intensely carrying out the necessary repair measures and hope to resume production as soon as possible,” the company says.

Although it occurred last week, the incident was not openly communicated until now.

Another fire occurred a few days later, with local media reporting on 2 March a fire at “a steel company” in the city of Salzgitter. Some agencies were more precise, providing an address that referred to Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH.

The damage reported in the second fire was to road vehicles and a carport, at an overall value of €250,000 ($269,000). Police were cited speculating that arson could be involved.