A fire that partly destroyed the Tyson Foods beef plant near Holcomb, Kansas, may have been started as a result of a welding accident, the company said
The fire occurred on August 9, prompting company officials to shut down the plant indefinitely, with plans to rebuild.
In an emailed statement, Gary Mickleson, Tyson Foods spokesman, said the fire started following routine welding maintenance in the box shop that supports the harvest area. However, he added that the cause of the fire is still being investigated.
The company, in a press release, stated it would pay its full-time, active team members weekly until production at the plant resumes. Meanwhile, the company is “taking steps to move production to alternative sites.”
Since the fire occurred, state and federal officials visited the facility to coordinate support for Tyson Foods and its workers.
Rep. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, whose district includes Holcomb, was among the officials to visit the plant.
“I want to thank Tyson for its commitment to rebuild its beef plant in Holcomb, Kansas, following this weekend’s devastating fire. This is good news not only for the plant’s 3,500-plus employees, but for Kansas farmers and ranchers,” said Marshall, a member of the House Agriculture Committee.
“I am thankful no one was hurt, and will continue to keep first responders and Tyson employees on the forefront of my mind as rebuilding moves forward.”
No definite timeline has been established for the rebuilding process, but cleanup efforts have already started, the company stated.
Tyson Foods operates six plants in Kansas, employing more than 5,600 people. In the company’s fiscal year 2018, it paid $269 million in wages within Kansas and estimated its total economic impact in the state to be more than $2.4 billion.
In addition to being a major beef producer, Tyson Foods is the largest broiler company in the United States and the country’s fifth largest turkey company.
