FARGO — An employee was taken to the hospital for possible smoke inhalation injuries after a fire in a sunflower roasting oven at the Red River Commodities plant in northwest Fargo on Friday night, July 23.
Battalion Chief Joe Mangin said when firefighters from the Fargo Fire Department arrived, they saw smoke coming from a large garage door at approximately 5:15 p.m. at the plant in the city's industrial park.
Employees said the oven had started on fire. The built-in fire suppression system, along with portable fire extinguishers used by employees, had extinguished most of the fire, Mangin said.
Several employees were evaluated for possible smoke inhalation which occurred when they were trying to extinguish the fire. One was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
Fifteen firefighters responded to the scene of the fire, with the cause still being investigated.
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The fire department said portable fire extinguishers can save lives and put out small fires, but warned that they have limitations. They said escaping from the flames and smoke is the number one priority.
Assisting at the scene were the Fargo Police Department, Sanford Ambulance and the Salvation Army.
