OGDEN — Recent records reveal that the fire at the Alphia pet food plant in Ogden last October was not an isolated incident. In fact, it was the fourth time firefighters had been called to the facility in just one year.
The October blaze caused around $3.5 million in damage. Investigators believe the fire started when a motor in the processing equipment overheated. “We’ve determined that there was a motor in one of the machines that heated up,” said Ogden Fire Chief Mike Slater.
Despite the fire’s severity, no injuries were reported. Slater mentioned that employees evacuated the building safely, and firefighters managed to contain the flames effectively.
Looking back at earlier incidents, records show that the fire department responded to the Alphia plant three times in 2025 for various issues, including an alarm malfunction and another fire earlier in the year. This situation raises questions about workplace safety at Alphia, especially since a December investigation revealed over $20,000 in fines related to machinery injuries. One notable incident involved a fatality linked to machinery in 2018.
Large facilities like Alphia often require more frequent fire department responses due to their complexity, but Slater did not find the number of calls unusual. He pointed out that such commercial properties can generate more alarms than smaller ones.
Investigating the October fire was challenging due to the size of the plant and the amount of smoke. Firefighters had difficulty gaining access and determining the fire’s origin. Since then, Alphia has actively collaborated with fire officials to improve safety measures. Changes include making parts of the building easier for firefighters to access and conducting third-party reviews of fire protection systems, like updating the sprinkler system.
Slater has praised Alphia for their compliance and efforts to enhance safety. However, while the fire department did not hand out any fines, the city of Ogden is yet to clarify whether any building code violations will be addressed.
As similar incidents occur, experts stress the importance of workplace safety and compliance with regulations. A report from the National Fire Protection Association suggests that fire safety systems can significantly reduce damage in industrial settings. The high stakes involved in ensuring safety highlight why consistent checks and upgrades are essential.
With the fire’s aftermath still fresh, the Alphia plant’s commitment to addressing safety concerns is clear. Ongoing inspections and improvements are vital, not just for compliance but to protect the people who work there.
