Equipment Fire at J.M. Smucker-Owned Pet Food Plant

A blaze ignited in a piece of equipment early Tuesday morning at the J.M. Smucker-owned Ainsworth Pet Nutrition manufacturing facility in Vernon Township, PA, according to a report in the Meadville Tribune.

The fire started in steel pipes attached to a piece of milling equipment. A local fire official told the newspaper that product clogged the pipes and overheated, sparking the flames.  

No injuries occurred during the incident and workers safely evacuated the facility, a J.M. Smucker spokesperson said in a statement to the Tribune. About 250 workers are employed there.

Smucker acquired Ainsworth Pet Nutrition in 2018. The business manufactures Rachael Ray Nutrish and other pet food and snacks brands.