So far this year, there have been about a dozen food processing and distribution center fires or explosions, the most recent of which was Monday, April 18 in Dufur, Oregon at a center food plant called Azure.
This comes amidst the scare of food shortages stemming from the dwindling economy as well as the war in Ukraine (plus the sanctions on Russia by the United States government).
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Approximately 150 people are employed at Azure, which is an independent distributor of natural, organic an non-GMO foods. The company also seeks to, they said, “Inspire Healthy and Abundant Living in our own lives first, and then in our families, our community and our customers across the country.”
Volunteer Fire Chief Jon Keyser Jr. said that when he arrived on the scene of the fire, the “stucco building with a metal roof had already ventilated, meaning a hole was in the roof and flames could be seen coming out of the top.” Keyser only had four people to fight the fire, and other units took about 45 minutes to arrive on scene.
CEO David Steltzer was at the building attempting to grab up some paperwork, but firefighters kept people from entering because of all the “fuels including vegetable and nut oils made from canola, coconut and olives” that were inside.
A week prior to the Azure fire, another food plant was destroyed in the fire at East Conway Beef and Pork in Conway, New Hampshire. That fire raged for approximately 16 hours, completely destroying the facility.
The Taylor Farms Processing Facility burned for 17 hours in Salinas, California the same week, and approximately 85-90% of that building was destroyed.
Salinas Fire chief Michele Vaugan discussed the potential dangers that the fire posed to the building, but even to the surrounding community, thanks to the large amount of the explosive chemical of ammonia. “With that amount of 35,000 gallons of ammonia, that could have been devastating to this community,” Vaugan said. “We’re talking big explosion, with major damage throughout the community, not just Taylor Farms.”
In March, a Plainfield, Indiana one million square foot Walmart food distribution center was destroyed by a fire. That same week, Rio Fresh facility in San Juan, Texas burned down. Also in March, the McCrum Potato Plant in Maine saw a fire, this one ruled accidental.
Another incident in March was in Jonesboro, Arkansas at a Nestle Hot Pockets plant, which planned a $100 million expansion. That incident apparently started in a cooler.
In February, the Shearer’s Foods plant in Hermiston, Oregon exploded “suddenly,” injuring seven. Wisconsin River Meats in Mauston also suffered a fire, which left parts of its building “a total loss.”
Additionally, the Maricopa Food Pantry was destroyed in a fire, which caused the destruction of 50,000 pounds of food meant to distribute to the needy after burning for 24 hours.
Louisiana saw an explosion and fire at it’s Cargill Nutrena feed mill in January
Other than the one fire mentioned above, no causes have been listed for any of these events.
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Arson, anyone?
Sir Klaus Schwab, knighted for services to England clearly says you will own nothing. You. That must mean food.Oviously
Funny how with all these places getting destroyed, they some how manage to supply All retailers with holiday stuff !! Every holiday the stores are packed with the holiday that is going on and coming up, but they can’t supply the stores with what is essentially needed.
A dozen food supply related structures. Astounding, tragic, and beyond suspicious. What is the usual rate of damaging events in the food industry? I can’t imagine it is ever this high normally.
What is this about? It can be about anything in our damaged economy. From businesses projecting losses or failure that might arise from supply chain failure, reduced crops, rising cost of doing business due to projected inflation? To targeted destruction using high tech in the hands of criminals or enemies? Whatever the cause, such a phenomenal problem in the food industry should be rapidly investigated to prevent further losses.
Please give us follow-up coverage!