Cause of Agrium fire may never be known

Lynchburg, Va.-Authorities apparently are nearly finished with their investigation of the fire last January that destroyed Agrium Inc.’s Lynchburg distribution terminal (GM Jan. 21, p. 1), and with an estimated $2 million in losses, Agrium isn’t sure at this point that the former Royster-Clark fertilizer plant will be rebuilt. Lynchburg Fire Marshal Greg Wormser said the cause may never be known. “There was so much destruction and so much damage that it was very dangerous to put investigators inside,” he said. “The other thing is that it burned so incredibly hot that the cause probably won’t be determined.” Agrium spokeswoman Lisa Parker agreed that it was a pretty spectacular fire for this community. “It burned a lot longer than we figured,” she added, indicating that Agrium hasn’t determined a final figure, but expects that it will be in the millions. “We haven’t made a decision at this point. Although we’ve cleared up the site we still don’t know if we are going to rebuild.”