FIREFIGHTERS were called to Jones Engraving Co. on South Beckham Avenue in Tyler on Thursday afternoon after sparks from a band saw set off a fire. Traffic was shut down on Beckham for about an hour.

A band saw produced the sparks that ignited a box of magnesium shavings, causing a fire at a business near downtown Tyler on Thursday.

Tyler firefighters worked to contain the blaze at 116 S. Beckham Ave., but had to watch where their water sprayed due to the violent reaction magnesium causes when it comes in contact with water, according to Tyler Deputy Fire Marshal Randy Lee.

Lee said the owner of Jones Engraving Co. was cutting a sheet of magnesium with a band saw.

“The saw caused some sparks and ignited a box of magnesium shavings,” he said.

Thick black smoke could be seen from downtown beginning about 3 p.m.

Lee said the firefighters had to keep the fire from spreading to more magnesium while the initial blaze burned itself out.

Southbound traffic on Beckham Avenue was shut down at Erwin Street and northbound was closed at Front Street for more than an hour.

The back of the building was damaged, but the building is still intact.

No injuries were reported in the fire.