Wyoming, Ill.-A fire that swept through an equipment shed late last month is not having any serious impact on operations at Kraft Fertilizer Inc. southeast of Wyoming, even though reports are that losses may run as high as $500,000. No fertilizer or pesticides were involved, and there were no injuries. A short circuit in one of the loaders is being blamed, along with gusty 40 mph winds that served to fan the flames. No one at Kraft was available to return phone calls, but Denny Rewerts, Stark County economic development director, told Green Markets that the impact was minimal. He said the company was back in operation the next day, April 30. “Also as far as farmers are concerned, there are three or four fertilizer suppliers in the area farmers can turn to for their needs,” Rewerts added. According to press reports, at least 50 to 60 firefighters responded from several surrounding departments. “I’ve been on the department for 20 years, and I’ve never seen fire move that fast,” Wyoming Fire Chief Ed Foglesonger reported. Firefighters soaked nearby gasoline and diesel tanks with thousands of gallons of water and also kept the blaze from reaching a nearby office building or any other structures at the site, he added. Kraft operations manager Jeff Gehrig told the local press that the equipment lost in the fire was probably worth “well over half a million dollars,” but was covered by insurance. He said the company was making arrangements to replace the losses.
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