Warden, Washington Evacuated After Massive Potato Plant Fire
January 22, 2021 10:35AM PST
WARDEN, Wash. (AP) – A massive fire at a potato plant in Warden brought fears of an exploding ammonia tank, forcing the evacuation of nearly a third of the town for several hours.
The fire broke out at the Washington Potato Plant around 5:30 p.m. Thursday in one of the dehydrators, according to Kyle Foreman with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
Employees made it out safely as the flames spread, eventually engulfing much of the plant.
Inside the burning building was large ammonia tank that firefighters feared could explode and send a toxic cloud over the region.
Officials issued an evacuation notice for the area.
Residents returned home around 1 a.m.
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