HARBESON, Del.- Multiple fire companies responded to a fire that broke out Wednesday night in the packing room of the Allen Harim poultry plant in Harbeson, authorities said.
Firefighters from the Milton, Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Georgetown and the Indian River volunteer fire companies responded to the blaze at around 9:30 p.m. According to the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company's Facebook page, the fire escalated to a second alarm.
Jay Clarke, spokesman for the Milton Fire Department, said the fire was under control by 11 p.m., but crews did not clear the scene until about 1 a.m. Thursday. Clarke said the fire started in a packing room on the fourth floor of the plant. Smoke was immediately visible from the outside when firefighters arrived on scene, Clarke said. Boxes and packing supplies were burned in the fire, and Clarke said firefighters had to cut two holes in the building for ventilation.
One Allen Harim employee was transported to Beebe Medical Center with minor injuries, Clarke said.
Allen Harim said in a statement that the plant's fire suppression system worked according to plan and the plant was immediately evacuated. The company said the plant would normal operations Thursday after a two hour delay.
The Delaware State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the fire, which caused an estimated $50,000 in damage.
