Quick thinking employees limit impact of dust collection fire at Modern Industries
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PROVIDENCE, R.I.  -  The three-story factory building at Modern Industries was spared more extensive damage when quick-thinking employees disconnected the dust collection dustwork from the bag house sawdust collection bags. 
 
The Providence, Rhode Island, Fire Department tweeted a report at 5:00 a.m. of a machine at Modern Industries' woodshop that was smoking and casting sparks. The dust collection ductwork pulled in the sparks, and this caused a fire within the piping as dust within it started to burn.
 
But employees kept the fire from reaching the central dust collection system by disconnecting it, the Providence Journal reports, limiting the fire to 50 or 60 feet of ducts. Firefights took sections apart to combat the fire. 
 
Ned Capozzi, Jr., President and third generation of the founder, joined the firm in 1982 and expanded MD+C’s focus to include high-end residential and corporate projects. Today MD+C employs 35 design and building professionals who collaborate on 25 major residential, corporate, healthcare, and hospitality projects annually. 
 
Modern Industries, which opened in 1932, occupies a building erected in 1895. The firm grew repidly in response to the need for newly designed hospitality and retail stores following Prohibition’s repeal.   www.mdcdesignconstruct.com

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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.