Firefighters Called to Western Sugar in Scottsbluff for Reported ‘Explosion’, Fire

Firefighters Called to Western Sugar in Scottsbluff for Reported ‘Explosion’, Fire
April 8th, 2022 | Scott Miller

UPDATED STORY:

An initial report of a “generator explosion” at Western Sugar in Scottsbluff drew a swift reaction from first responders Friday night.

Scotts Bluff Rural Fire Assistant Chief Carissa Schank tells KNEB News firefighters arrived after the call at 7:08 p.m., finding an active fire inside, apparently caused by a turbine ‘explosion’, not a generator.

With mutual aid provided by Scottsbluff Fire, the flames were extinguished after about 20 minutes, with firefighters remaining on scene until shortly before 9 p.m.

Schank said there was “quite a bit of damage”, but the cause, as well as an estimated dollar figure for the damage, would be determined by the company.

In a statement to KNEB News, Jerry Darnell, Western Sugar Vice President of Agriculture, South Region, said “We are sending a grower communication out this (Saturday) morning explaining it was not an explosion, but a small fire that was extinguished quickly and that we will communicate more information when our damage assessment is complete.”

Schank said no injuries were reported, and staff at the facility had been evacuated.

Scottsbluff Police and Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Deputies also responded to the scene.

EDITOR’S NOTE : This version of the story includes an update from Western Sugar officials stating there was no explosion during Friday night’s incident.

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