UPDATED full list of food facility fires
in the USA from 2020 – 2022
The string of fires that appear to be sabotage operations targeting food processing facilities is surprisingly lengthy. Our research team has meticulously documented the reports and sources for nearly 100 such fires that have been reported across the USA from early 2020 to the present day.
This list is presented in chronological order. Note the sharp uptick in these fires occurring in 2022 as the apparent sabotage operations are accelerating.
All links shown below were active as of the publish date of this article, but some links may change or be removed over time, especially as there may be a coordinated effort to suppress this information. The text in each description is sourced from the link provided.
Here’s the full list (so far)FOOD PROCESSING PLANT, Norwood, Massachusetts
February 21, 2020
Fire investigators in Norwood, Massachusetts, blamed a grease fire in a commercial oven for a blaze that spread through a food processing plant.
Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control despite an extension into the roof line that required extensive overhaul. Authorities estimated the damage at about $250,000.
https://www.industrialfireworld.com/543748/food-processing-plant-fire-breaks-out-in-massachusetts
SID WAINER & SON, New Bedford, Massachusetts
April 21, 2020
A fire at a food distribution facility in New Bedford, Massachusetts, left several trucks damaged.
Firefighters responded to the fire at Sid Wainer & Son’s warehouse around 12:30 a.m. At least seven tractor-trailer trucks at a loading dock were damaged or destroyed.
MIZKAN FOOD PROCESSING PLANT, Stockton, California
May 26, 2020
Firefighters battled a massive “fire tornado” after a blaze broke out at Mizkan America tomato processing facility in Stockton, California.
Approximately 1.5 acres of plastic pallets burned and drivers were urged to steer clear of the fiery area. It took nearly six hours for firefighters to get the blaze under control.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11721983/california-firefighters-battle-massive-fire-food-plant/
TYSON FOOD PROCESSING PLANT, Nashville, Arizona
July 9, 2020
Arriving at the facility at about 2:20 a.m., firefighters found a structure that was completely enveloped in flames.
Tyson said two employees were injured and were given medical attention.
https://www.powderbulksolids.com/industrial-fires-explosions/2-hurt-large-fire-tyson-plant-arkansas
HEMINGWAY MEAT LOCKER PLANT, Hemingway, South Carolina
July 24, 2020
A number of neighboring departments provided aid after a meat plant in Williamsburg County caught fire.
The fire started in the roof of the Hemingway Meat Locker Plant, in the area of East Andrews and South Main streets. The fire caused major damage to the building, with about 60 percent of the roof being burned.
https://www.wmbfnews.com/2020/07/24/multiple-crews-respond-fire-williamsburg-county-meat-plant/
DOMINO SUGAR REFINERY, Arabi, Louisiana
August 27, 2020
A silo caught fire and one witness said the fire suppression system stopped the fire from turning into an explosion. It’s unclear what started the fire. The flames started mid-afternoon and smoke billowed from the refinery into the evening hours.
The Domino Sugar Refinery is owned by the ASR group and is the second-largest cane sugar refinery in the world. Over two billion pounds of sugar cane is manufactured at the refinery every year.
https://www.fox8live.com/2020/08/27/fire-breaks-out-domino-sugar-refinery-arabi/
MR. CHIP INC., Pinconning, Michigan
October 3, 2020
A weekend fire heavily damaged a pickle manufacturer in northern Bay County.
Flames were first spotted coming from an empty brine tank. The manufacturing facility is a total loss, but the company’s grading and brining operation was undamaged.
WEST LIBERTY PROCESSING PLANT, Tremonton, Utah
October 10, 2020
Three people suffered minor injuries and several homes were evacuated due to a large fire at a meatpacking plant.
The fire at West Liberty Foods, 705 N. 2000 West in Tremonton, started in the facility’s utility room about 5:30 a.m. Three employees suffered minor burns to their hands and face, while three vehicles were also damaged.
https://www.deseret.com/utah/2020/10/2/21499350/tremonton-meat-packing-plant-fire-3-injured
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL, Temple, Texas
October 12, 2020
St. Vincent De Paul’s food pantry and warehouse were destroyed by fire.
No one was injured but all the food, refrigerators, freezers and storage inside were destroyed.
https://www.kwtx.com/2020/10/14/fire-destroys-local-food-pantry-closes-store/
DELI STAR, Fayetteville, Illinois
January 11, 2021
The fire destroyed Deli Star’s 75,000-square-foot processing plant.
Deli Star is a second-generation meat and poultry processor of deli meats, prepared foods using sous vide technology. as well as sauces and a variety of value-added meats.
https://www.meatpoultry.com/articles/24395-deli-star-deals-with-the-aftermath-of-devastating-fire
TIEGS POTATO FOOD PROCESSING, Warden, Washington
January 21, 2021
A fire destroyed a dehydrated potato processing facility.
The central Washington facility is one of two such potato processing plants in Washington state. Potatoes that don’t make the quality or size grade for fresh or frozen markets are often sold to dehydrated processors.
https://www.thepacker.com/news/industry/fire-destroys-washington-dehydrated-potato-facility
PACTIV INC., Temple, Texas
May 12, 2021
Fire personnel were called to the Pactiv Inc. facility after receiving a report of a structure fire at the site. Crews arrived on scene to discover heavy smoke in a storage silo.
Pactiv manufactures and distributes packaging, trays, containers, films and other products for use in the foodservice, food processing, supermarket and convenience store markets. The Temple facility produces products for the foodservice industry.
https://www.powderbulksolids.com/industrial-fires-explosions/fire-ignites-storage-silo-pactiv-plant
RICELAND FOODS, Stuttgart, Arkansas
May 23, 2021
A soybean storage bin caught fire at a Riceland Foods plant in Stuttgart, Arkansas. A Riceland spokesperson said the fire started while crews were cleaning out bins.
The fire also spread to the plant’s water treatment facility next to the grain bins. Riceland’s soybean terminal in Stuttgart has a listed storage capacity of 8,195,000 bushels.
https://www.world-grain.com/articles/15327-fire-damages-riceland-soybean-storage-plant
KELLOGG, Memphis, Tennessee
July 25, 2021
The Memphis Fire Department responded to the fire at the Kellogg factory. The fire department said the fire started from a rice dryer.
The Kellogg location in Memphis makes breakfast foods.
TYSON’S RIVER VALLEY INGREDIENTS, Hanceville, Alabama
July 30, 2021
A Tyson Foods-owned poultry meal plant received significant damage during a fire that ignited at the site.
Reports said the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) responded to the scene to assess whether there are any environmental impacts from the fire.
Bought by Tyson in 2018, the facility processes poultry-by products into feed ingredients.
https://www.powderbulksolids.com/food-beverage/fire-damages-tyson-owned-feed-ingredients-plant
PATAK MEAT PRODUCTS, Cobb County, Georgia
August 23, 2021
Patak Meat Products, a family-owned meat processor, suffered a major fire at its facility. The company has been producing a wide range of Old World favorites and other meat products since 1981.
Firefighters were able to save a portion of the building that contained dry goods storage and the smokehouses.
https://www.provisioneronline.com/articles/111392-fire-severely-damages-patak-meat-products-facility
JBS MEAT FOOD, Grand Island, Nebraska
September 12, 2021
JBS USA Spokesperson Nikki Richardson said the fire did not impact primary production areas.
Firefighters battled the fire for nearly 15 hours. No one was injured in the incident.
