Losses limited in Simplot fire in Idaho

Rupert, Idaho-A fire in the sulfur bin at J.R. Simplot’s Mini-Cassia Grower Solutions plant July 20 is still under investigation but caused only limited damage, according to company officials. Just getting to it was another matter. Rupert Fire Chief Larry Pool told Green Markets that aerial equipment was brought in and a hole cut in the roof to reach the flames in the sulfur bin and pump in high expansion foam. Fire crews had to wear self-contained breathing apparatus because of the toxic fumes and rotate in teams every 10 or 15 minutes because of the 100-degree heat. The local press reported that a 1-mile area around the scene was evacuated. Pool said he thought the problem was possibly an overheated bearing in a conveyor, but that is still to be determined. Simplot spokesman Rick Phillips said the investigation is still ongoing, but initial findings show limited damage. “We estimate less than 10 tons of sulfur damaged,” he reported, “(plus) the 4 X 8 foot hole in the roof made by the fire department to spray foam on the sulfur.”