Fire destroys fertilizer storage building

Friday, April 7, 2006

IMPERIAL -- Fire destroyed a dry fertilizer storage facility in Imperial this morning, an estimated $300,000 loss in the building and contents.

The structure, located on the southeast corner of the U.S. 6-Nebraska 61 intersection, is owned by Frenchman Valley Farmers Cooperative Inc.

Jim Chism, the general manager of Frenchman Valley, said the fire was called in at approximately 1:30 a.m. and the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department remained on the scene throughout the morning hours.

The facility, which formerly served as the Brown Chemical plant, was used as a blending plant and for dry fertilizer storage.

An electrical malfunction is suspected as the cause of the blaze, but a final determination will not be made until an investigation by the State Fire Marshal.

High winds intensified the fire, with the primarily wood structure damaged extensively. "It appears to be a total loss," Chism said.

The general manager estimated the building loss at $150,000 and the loss of contents, principally dry potash for fertilizer production, at between $150,000 and $160,000.

"We are grateful to the fire department volunteers and the hazmat team. They responded in a timely fashion and did a good job of containing the fire," Chism said.

At mid-morning, the firemen and hazardous materials workers were continuing to monitor the scene to make sure there were not flare-ups from the embers.

Frenchman Valley used the facility to blend liquid starter fertilizer. Chism said production would be shifted to other Frenchman Valley sites, with the majority of the work load shifting to the retail fertilizer location in Imperial.

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