Iowa Hillshire Plant Remains Closed After Fire and Roof Collapse

A Hillshire Brands plant in Storm Lake, Iowa, plans to remain closed for at least a few days following a serious fire that recently broke out at the location. According to reports of the incident, the Storm Lake Fire Department responded to an alarm notification at the plant shortly after 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2014, and responders were greeted by smoke and flames coming from the building’s roof. In all, four fire departments responded, and the building suffered severe damage in the fire.  

While the main fire was contained within about three hours, firefighters ultimately battled the blaze for a total of about 18 hours, as smaller fires continued to flare up long after the fire was under control. One firefighter was injured in responding to the fire and received treatment for a shoulder injury at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center. No other injuries were reported. The plant processes turkey for Hillshire Brands and employs approximately 650 workers.

A large section of the building’s roof, which covers the plant’s production area, was damaged by fire and eventually collapsed. Aside from the roof, other areas of the building also took significant damage from smoke and fire, but damage estimates were not yet available at the time of this report. The cause of the fire was still under investigation at the time of this report, and the company has stated that it plans to remain closed at least through Tuesday, March 25.

Fires can cause significant damage to buildings and businesses, and it isn’t always an easy process to get the compensation you deserve from your commercial insurance provider. For more news, tips, and information about commercial insurance claims, connect with our team on Facebook or reach out to us today for immediate assistance.