Columbia plant fills with smoke

Firefighters found limited damage on Friday after a Columbia manufacturing plant fills with smoke. Gates Power Transmission Materials Center off Lemone Industrial Boulevard was evacuated, but only as a precaution.

The factory was closed for routine maintenance, so there was only a limited crew of 22 employees working. Investigators said tools caused some rubberized build-up to overheat.

Losses are estimated at less than $1,000.