Fire caused extensive damage to the Hillshire Brands turkey processing plant in Storm Lake on Saturday night, idling some 600 workers. Upon arrival, firefighters observed heavy black smoke and flames coming from the roof of the production area near the south side of the plant.
An estimated 50-foot by 60-foot section of the roof burned and collapsed into the plant. The Storm Lake Fire Department requested assistance from three additional fire departments, and over 50 firefighters battled the fire and brought it under control in about three hours.
Fire, smoke, and heat have extensively damaged the facility. No damage estimate is available at this time. The Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office will be joining the Storm Lake Fire Department in investigating the cause of the fire.
(Reporting by Ryan Thompson, KAYL, Storm Lake)