Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
CLEARFIELD — On Tuesday, tractor tore down the remaining walls of a large industrial lab that was destroyed in a large fire Monday, causing an estimated $5 million damage.
Six firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion and approximately 40 homes were evacuated during the inferno at Balchem Chemicals, 101 N. Main in Clearfield. The approximately 100,000-square-foot structure is considered a total loss.
Balchem Chemicals, previously called Albion Labs, produces supplements for animals and people.
The cause of the massive fire was not known Tuesday. North Davis fire spokesman Mark Sessions said the Utah State Fire Marshal's Office was just starting to get inside to begin its investigation Tuesday afternoon.
The fire was reported about 4:50 p.m. Monday when 20- to 30-foot flames were seen shooting from the roof, Sessions said. Thick smoke from the fire blanketed much of Clearfield on Monday evening.
Because Monday was a state holiday, only a dozen employees were working at the time. All of them got out safely, Sessions said.
The fire knocked out power to approximately 1,900 customers for five hours. By 11 p.m. Monday, the fire was 90 percent contained, Sessions said. Crews finished mopping up hot spots Tuesday.
Part of Hidden Glen Mobile Estates was evacuated as crews battled the fire. The Red Cross set up a shelter at North Davis Junior High, 835 S. State, for evacuated residents and for those who were without power all day. The evacuation order was lifted late Monday night.
Firefighters also worked to keep the flames from spreading to a nearby gas station, where a large propane tank was within 30 feet of the fire, Sessions said. There were also 55-gallon drums of ethanol nearby that he said likely would have taken out at least two trailer homes if they had exploded.
