Fire Damages Basic American Foods’ Potato, Pinto Bean Plant

A potato and pinto beans dehydrating facility outside Moses Lake, Wash., owned by Basic American Foods caught fire and suffered extensive damage the evening of March 28, according to local reports. Basic American Foods, headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif., produces a variety of plant-based foods and ingredients solutions for manufacturers and foodservice operators, and the Moses Lake facility was said to manufacture dehydrated potato flakes and dehydrated pinto beans.

Local authorities believe the fire may have started near equipment used to preheat external air used to remove moisture during the cooler months, although that was not confirmed as the source of the fire. No injuries were reported, but damage to the second and third floors of the facility was deemed “extensive” by reports. Much of the fire burned near the roof with the fire burning between the concrete structure and the vinyl roofing on top of the building, fire officials stated.