THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 14, 1995 TAG: 9511140094
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
Fire damaged a peanut-processing plant in the heart of the industrial section Monday, but firefighters from three cities kept the blaze from spreading.
The fire broke out at Tidewater Blanching Corp., in the 100 block of County Street, about 4:40 p.m. An employee discovered the blaze in the processing area, near a roaster, said Fire Department spokesman Lt. Jeff Messinger.
More than 40 fire and rescue workers responded and had the fire under control by 6:30 p.m. A fire wall prevented the fire from reaching the storage area, where tons of raw peanuts were kept.
As most of the emergency personnel and bystanders watched in the darkness, ladder crews cut holes in the roof to ventilate the building and let out smoke.
Charles B. Pond III, president of the processing company, said it was too early to assess damage or discuss the cause of the fire. The plant likely would be shut today, he said.
Chesapeake and Franklin sent ladder trucks to assist as part of a mutual aid agreement. Suffolk's aerial truck had been sent to Roanoke for repairs about three weeks ago. ILLUSTRATION: ERIC P. BROOKS
The fire at Tidewater Blanching Corp., in the 100 block of County
Street in Suffolk, was discovered about 4:40 p.m. by an employee in
the processing area, near a roaster. More than 40 fire and rescue
workers responded and had the fire under control by 6:30 p.m.
KEYWORDS: FIRE by CNB