An American Plant Food Corp. (APF) fertilizer blending facility at Bartlett, Texas, north of Austin, was destroyed by a fire that started on Aug. 20 around 8:30 p.m. The fire lasted well into the night with firefighters opting to let the fire burn out.
APF Technical Director Dr. Larry Unruh told Green Markets the goal was to keep the fire contained so it would not spread to the town or local corn fields in this drought-stricken area. The fire did spark a six-acre grass fire behind the facility, which was contained early on Aug. 21.
APF said there were no injuries to employees or firefighters and confirmed that there were no flammable or explosive fertilizers stored at the facility. Local firefighters said they had visited the site in the past and were prepared. APF said that in a situation like this, employee and community safety are the company’s top priorities.
Initially residents were encouraged to stay indoors as much as possible on Aug. 21, but the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality monitored the air and said it was safe. Local schools were allowed to be in session.
Unruh said the cause of the fire is under investigation and it is too early to assess the monetary damage. Luckily, he said it was the end of the fertilizer season and the inventory level at the plant was only 10-20%. He expects it will take about a month to clean up the site.
He said there will be salvage fertilizer from the site and it will be made available to local farmers at reduced prices. In the meantime, he said APF will make sure local needs are met, providing fertilizer from its other locations at discounted freight. He expects the company will find a place for the location’s three employees.
Founded in 1964, APF has served the greater Bartlett community for almost five decades. The company has ten additional locations in Texas.