SPRINGDALE, Ark. – A representative of Tyson Foods Inc. confirmed a fire at the company’s beef plant in Pasco, Washington, canceled production at the facility Sept. 13 and limited production on Sept. 14. According to local news reports a grease fire was reported at about 4 a.m. on Sept. 13. The fire and damage affected the facility’s rendering area and local firefighters were commended for quickly extinguishing the flames.
No injuries were reported as the incident was before production had begun for the day. The plant employs approximately 1,400 workers.
“We are still assessing the situation at the plant,” Caroline Ahn, spokeswoman for the company, wrote in an email statement. “We are running our processing floor today, but not harvesting. We hope to resume full production as soon as possible.”