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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — An intense fire yesterday afternoon at a nearly 100-year-old factory formerly used by Kindel Furniture was apparently caused by a spark thrown from a power saw.

News reports here from mlive.com, the website home for Booth Newspapers, said a worker was cutting a lacquer supply line that mistakenly was thought to be empty. A buildup of lacquer on the plant's walls helped fuel the fire, officials said.

High-end manufacturer Kindel had moved out of the plant in January following a merger with The Taylor Co., a furniture and wood components supplier. Kindel furniture is now produced in Taylor's plant in the Grand Rapids area.

Kindel said in a statement that the fire would not disrupt its order fulfillment or product shipments.

Crews continued to fight hot spots on Tuesday morning. Local fire officials were unsure if any part of the building could be salvaged, the reports said.

No injuries were reported. Investigators are checking whether the hazardous materials crew that was working in the plant had proper permits and fire-suppression equipment. News report said the building was being prepared for sale and that 13 barrels of lacquer had recently been removed from the building.

The former factory was unoccupied for several months after production equipment and workers were moved to the Taylor plant.

"The loss of the historic building constructed in 1912 will be mourned by many in the Grand Rapids community," Kindel President John VanZee said in the statement.

Established in 1901, Kindel employs 120 in the design and manufacture of luxury furniture.

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