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SANDY — A blowtorch being used to thaw a frozen pipe apparently started a two-alarm fire at a feed plant Monday, causing significant damage.
The fire at Fur Breeders Agriculture Co-op, 8550 S. and 700 West, started just before noon. The blaze sent a large plume of black smoke into the air that could be seen across the valley.
There were many pallets, animal feed and packaging materials in the building that burned, Sandy Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Cline said.
The plant makes feed for minks, according to officials. A line carrying liquid used to help in that process froze. A worker tried to thaw it by using a torch, but accidentally started a fire.
Firefighters quickly went into a defensive mode after they arrived, meaning they could only fight the fire from the outside of the structure. Cline said one problem was the flames had spread to the attic and there were multiple roofs on the building.
Another concern was a large ammonia tank near the structure fire. The tank had a cooling system, however, and was not damaged, Cline said.
The building belonged to the same company that was the target of a pipe bombing by animal rights activists in 1997. Six members of the Animal Liberation Front were charged for igniting six pipe bombs at the Fur Breeders Co-op, but at a different building, 8720 S. 700 West. At least two were sentenced to federal prison.
The ALF confirmed in an email it was not responsible for Monday's fire.
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