Kinston textile plant fire under control

After more than 30 hours, firefighters were able to bring a fire at a Kinston textile plant under control Thursday afternoon.

The fire in the Kinston Fibers building, at 190 Neuse Road, was reported at 6:20 a.m. Wednesday.

Crews used equipment to tear side panels off the metal building for access inside, and 1,000-pound bales of cotton were pulled outside using heavy machinery and then doused with water to stop them from smoldering.

All of the bales were expected to be removed from the plant by the end of Thursday, authorities said.

Three firefighters suffered minor injuries on Wednesday.

Agents with the State Bureau of Investigation and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were helping to investigate the cause of the fire.

Firefighters have responded to at least four fires at the plant in the past two years, authorities said.