KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Keene firefighters contained a fire at the Markem-Imaje chemical facility on Congress Street, preventing what could have been a more serious incident.

The fire broke out in the ventilation system of the manufacturing plant, with flames spreading to parts of the roof structure. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the fire was limited to its point of origin.

The alarm was triggered at 8:15 a.m. and when firefighters arrived on-scene at 8:20 a.m. they found an active fire in the building’s ventilation system that had resisted earlier efforts by on-site personnel using portable extinguishers. Engine-1 responders immediately deployed a hose line to tackle the flames. Meanwhile, Ladder-2 personnel accessed the roof and removed burning materials to prevent further spread. By 8:45 a.m., the fire was brought under control, with additional crews ensuring no hidden flames remained.

The incident drew a significant response from the Keene Fire Department, with 26 personnel on-site, assisted by 11 mutual aid responders from nearby departments, including Walpole, Brattleboro, and Spofford. Various units, including engines, ladders, tankers, ambulances, and rescue teams, were dispatched to the scene.

In addition to battling the fire, crews worked to ventilate the large building, clearing it of smoke and fumes. Although no one was injured, some machinery and materials near the affected area sustained smoke and water damage. Preliminary estimates place the potential property loss between $50,000 and $125,000.

The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Keene Fire Marshal’s Office. Fire officials turned the building back over to company representatives once the scene was secured.

Markem-Imaje, a major employer in the area, specializes in manufacturing industrial printing and coding solutions. Despite the morning disruption, operations are expected to resume after the investigation and any necessary repairs are completed.