An apparent outburst of flames at a Hometown industrial complex brought fire companies from several communities shortly after noon Tuesday.

Schuylkill Communications Center dispatched firefighters at 12:22 p.m. to Silberline Manufacturing Co., 36 Progress Avenue, Hometown, for a reported commercial fire.

Firefighters arriving on scene were told that a fire had erupted, but apparently had been extinguished.

One worker on site said flames were visible for a time at an area where powdered aluminum is kept.

Aluminum powder is highly flammable.

The driver of a semi truck said he was making a delivery and had backed up almost to the loading dock when workers advised him to drive out of the complex in the interest of safety. The driver said he was unable to see smoke or flames from his vantage point.

Plant employees were seen gathered near a security fence along Progress Avenue.

Among the responders were fire departments and ambulances from Tamaqua, Hometown and Quakake.

The plant is located inside Tamaqua Industrial Development Enterprises and is one of two Silberline Hometown locations, the other being Silberline Global Headquarters on Lincoln Drive.

Silberline is a global supplier of special effect and performance paint pigments.