UPDATED: First responders fight fire at Enviva’s Southampton plant
Published 6:09 pm Monday, June 24, 2024
At least five area firefighting agencies responded to a large wood chip fire at Enviva Inc.’s Southampton County plant on Monday afternoon, June 24. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
An arc of water shoots out from a firetruck as firefighters work to extinguish a large wood chip fire at Enviva Inc.’s commercial pellet manufacturing plant in Southampton County on Monday afternoon, June 24. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Firefighters work to extinguish a large wood chip fire at Enviva Inc.’s commercial pellet manufacturing plant in Southampton County on Monday afternoon, June 24. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
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Franklin Fire and Rescue and several other area agencies responded to a fire at Enviva Inc.’s Southampton County plant on Monday afternoon, June 24.
In a city of Franklin news release shared Monday evening, Capt. Tim Dunn, of Franklin Fire and Rescue, stated that at 2:17 p.m. that day, FFR received a 911 call for a pile of wood chips on fire at Enviva’s commercial facility located at 26570 Rose Valley Road in Franklin.
“The facility produces wood pellets,” Dunn stated. “There was a fire in the main wood chip storage area. The fire spread to other machinery.”
He noted that crews from the plant and fire personnel controlled the fire; extra personnel and outside fire departments were called to help extinguish it.
“Damage to the facility is unknown, and the cause is undetermined,” Dunn stated. “As of 7:30 p.m., fire personnel were cleared from the scene.”
A firefighter at the scene reported that responding agencies included Franklin Fire and Rescue, which was the first to respond; Hunterdale Volunteer Fire Department; Courtland Volunteer Fire Department; Carrsville Volunteer Fire Department and Newsoms Volunteer Fire Department.
In the release, Dunn also noted that Hunterdale Rehab responded to the scene. He stated that about 53 personnel from local fire departments responded.
He said there was one firefighter injury reported that was minor.
“The scene is safe at this time,” Dunn stated. “We want to thank our neighboring departments and the help by facility personnel in the extinguishment of this fire.”
A spokesperson for Enviva says that the Southampton plant sustained damage. However, the company is still working to determine what caused the fire.
“Our Southampton plant sustained damage due to a fire on June 24. No one has been hurt, the plant continues to operate, and we are currently investigating the cause of the incident. We appreciate the efforts of the local fire departments who assisted in controlling the incident and also ensured the health and safety of everyone onsite.”
