MASSENA – Operations at Alcoa’s West Plant continued to move closer to normalcy, and a comprehensive fire review got under way today after a fire in the roof last Thursday shot huge plumes of grey smoke skyward over Massena.

“Operations continued to go well over the weekend thanks to hard work on the part of many employees,” said Alcoa Massena Operations Communications and Public Affairs Manager Laurie A. Marr today.

Following the structural review on Friday, during which time some operations were shut down, it was determined that cleanup could begin in limited areas of the cast house. Power was restored to the south end of the building.

The temporary molten-metal pouring operation that was set up in the smelter has been moved back to the south end of the cast house.

An internal Alcoa investigation into the fire kicked off today, Marr said. It includes resources and expertise from a variety of areas.

“It is unknown how long this investigation will take as many areas of the cast house remain off-limits,” Marr said, due to concerns over structural integrity.

“Smelting operations continue as normal and Alcoa is working to minimize the impact of this event on its customers,” said Marr.