OGDEN — It’s not every day that firefighters notice a blaze before anyone else does. But on October 16, that was exactly the case in Ogden. Around 3 p.m., a crew traveling near 2900 Wall Avenue spotted unusual smoke coming from the Alphia pet food manufacturing plant.
Concerned, they approached an on-site forklift operator and were led inside. There, they found a fire burning in a biscuit-baking oven. The smoke had spread through the oven’s ductwork, which delayed the initial detection.
After confirming the fire, the plant was evacuated, and more resources were called in to help. The fire turned out to be tricky to control. It spread within the oven and into the ductwork, complicating firefighting efforts. With poor visibility and ventilation challenges, firefighters battled the flames for about 4.5 hours, finally getting control around 7:30 p.m. They spent an additional hour making sure the fire was fully contained.
The Ogden City Fire Department received help from the Weber Fire District and others in the fight. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the blaze caused an estimated $3 million in damage. The cause is still under investigation.
This incident marks the second significant fire at the Alphia plant this year. In March, a fire caused around $100,000 in damages. Such events raise concerns about safety protocols at industrial sites. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, industrial fires have been declining over the years but still pose serious risks. In 2020, industries reported over 37,000 fires, leading to significant property losses.
As communities rely on local manufacturing, ensuring safety measures are in place is crucial. Experts suggest regular inspections and training can prevent these situations, highlighting the importance of emergency preparedness in industrial operations.
Residents and workers will be watching closely as more information about the cause emerges. With social media buzzing about the incident, many shared their disbelief and concern for the safety of workers in the community.
For ongoing updates, you can find more details in local news articles, including [Standard-Examiner’s coverage](https://www.standard.net/news/local/). Staying informed is key in times like these.
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