Forty firefighters from across the Columbia Basin responded to a three-alarm fire at the Tyson’s Food Plant in Wallula Tuesday morning.
Firefighters say the blaze started in the rendering area of the facility around 4 a.m. which is where animals go to get fat removed.
Walla Walla Fire District 5 Chief Mike Wickstrom described the blaze as, “Very hot, difficult and smokey.”
The extent of the damage hasn't been evaluated yet but we know that no one was injured.
Firefighters have the blaze under control, but there has been a few flare ups, so crews will stay on scene for most of the day.
Night crews were evacuated from the plant, and production workers are asked to not come in today.
The cause is still under investigation.
Crews from Benton County, Richland, Kennewick, Walla Walla, Pasco and Franklin County responded.