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Fire destroys Va. facility
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The largest used equipment inventory in the Mid-Atlantic is only a click away. Visit our website by clicking here or visit us at one of our 11 locations throughout MD, DE, VA and PA.
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Fire destroys Va. facility
1.22.2008
Officials to investigate Royster Clarke fire
By Jane W. Graham
AFP Correspondent
LYNCHBURG, Va. — The cause of a spectacular fire that destroyed Royster Clarke’s Agrium U.S. Lynchburg Distribution Terminal on Jan. 13 still had not been determined last Friday, said Lasa Parker, a spokeswoman for the company.
She said company officials were meeting with fire officials again last Friday to discuss the situation. Officials from regulatory agencies were not expected to be available until after the federal holiday yesterday to continue the investigation.
The fire that lit up night skies and television screens across the state did more than $2 million in damage, early estimates indicated.
Parker said the terminal loss will affect farmers in a 125-mile radius of the plant. She urged customers to contact the company’s competitors to be sure they can get the products they need.
Parker said the company apologizes for any impact the fire may have on its customers and will do whatever it can to help meet their needs. The company does not know how long it will take to clean up the site of the fire. The plant was still smoldering last Friday, she said.
A decision has not been made as to whether or not the plant will even be rebuilt. That decision is months away, Parker said.
The News and Advance, Lynchburg’s local newspaper reported that six fire engines and two medic crews arrived at the scene shortly after the fire, north of the railroad tracks, was reported.
Parker said only one injury was reported. A fireman was treated at a local hospital for smoke inhalation. His is in good condition, she said.
The blending facility had several components for making fertilizer on site. These included potash, urea, ammonium sulfate, gap and limestone rock, she said.
The local paper reported that the fire was contained within hours and did not contaminate any groundwater or surrounding air quality.
The main building, a 100-feet-by-400-feet structure was destroyed, but several other secondary buildings were not harmed, the paper said. It also did not threaten homes in the surrounding area or a nearby lumberyard.
The fire, which was visible from both U.S. 29 and U.S. 460, caused the local police department to close some roads in the area.