Residents of a small town in central Washington State were evacuated Thursday night (Jan. 21) over the threat of a potential explosion during a fire at a potato processing plant. All returned home early today.
A fire broke out at Washington Potato Co. in Warden, about 100 miles southwest of Spokane. As the building erupted, fire officials feared an ammonia tank could explode, prompting the evacuation of most of the town's 2,800 residents.
The cause of the fire hasn't been determined, and no one was injured. According to the company's website, Washington Potato Co. is owned by Oregon Potato Co. and makes dehydrated, dehydrofrozen, blanched and roasted potatoes in flakes, flours, dices, slices, shreds, IQF and roasted products.
