American media reported a fire at a factory in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Monday evening that produces 155mm artillery shells for Ukraine. According to Atlas News, the factory is one of seven facilities that manufacture ammunition and supplies for the U.S. military. The site noted that "a large fire broke out around 3:00 PM local time at the Army ammunition plant in Scranton." The owner of the factory, General Dynamics, confirmed that a fire occurred at the facility. The factory's post stated, "A minor fire has been extinguished and there were no injuries." Witnesses shared photos of the factory, which was emitting black smoke.
The Washington Post describes the Scranton ammunition factory as a key facility involved in producing 155mm artillery shells for the U.S. Army, essential to President Joe Biden's administration's efforts to accelerate weapon supplies to Ukraine. Additionally, National Defense magazine mentioned that the Scranton plant has been specifically updated to produce shells for Ukraine. Prior to the Ukrainian crisis, it produced an average of seven thousand artillery shells per month and is expected to reach a production of 35 thousand shells per month by 2027.
