A Fieldale Farms employee was injured and the company’s feed mill in Baldwin was badly damaged in an explosion and fire.
Baldwin Fire Chief Joe Roy says he and another firefighter were standing outside the fire station on Tuesday when they heard the explosion. They looked around and just down the road saw smoke billowing from the top of the feed mill.
Roy says he immediately called Dispatch. Fire Stations 4, 12, and 24 were dispatched to the location along with EMS.
“Upon arrival I found the building being evacuated and we had one employee injured with 1st degree burns to the face and 2nd degree burns to the arm,” says Roy. “We also had one employee unaccounted for and started a search and rescue operation. He was located on the second floor with no injuries and evacuated. ”
The injured man was transported to Habersham Medical Center.
Chief Roy says all floors were searched for lingering fires and embers. “There was significant damage to many areas of the building,” he says.
After firefighters checked out and secured the building, Roy says they turned the scene back over to Fieldale. Now Habersham has reached out to the company for comment but has not yet heard back. There’s no indication at this time as to what caused the explosion and fire.
Chief Roy says, “I would like to thank all responding units for a job well done.”
