Fire at Commercial Bakery Causes $8M in DamagesFire at Commercial Bakery Causes $8M in Damages

March 14, 2018

2 Min Read
Fire at Commercial Bakery Causes $8M in Damages
The Specialty Bakers plant in Lititz, PA. Image courtesy of Google Maps

A fire at the Specialty Bakers plant in Lititz, PA on Tuesday morning prompted the evacuation of about 20 workers and caused an estimated $8 million in damages, several local news organizations reported.

Fire crews responded to the commercial bakery at about 3:30 a.m. and remained on scene for over 12 hours, finding smoke and fire in an area of the facility containing a production line and large oven, Lititz Fire Company Chief Ron Oettel told LancasterOnline.com. Several minutes after firefighters entered the site, more smoke appeared and the flames grew more intense, reaching the roof.

“I’ve never seen afire grow so fast and furious as this did,” Oettel said in LancasterOnline’s coverage.

Pennsylvania State Police told local media that the fire may have started in or near an oven in the plant. Employees at the site were evacuated safely and no injuries were reported.

“Our company is working with our customers to seek alternate sources for products until we can rebuild our Lititz plant, and we will rebuild. It is too early to know the cause of the fire, however the company will support the fire marshal’s investigation and cannot have any further comment until its completed,” Specialty Bakers said in a statement published by the Lititz Record.

Specialty Bakers’ website bills the company as “the Ladyfinger Specialist since 1901” and notes that its products are sold at 90% of supermarket chains in the United States.

Click here for information about the upcoming International Powder & Bulk Solids Conference/Exhibition

For more news headlines, articles, and equipment reviews, visit our Equipment Zones

Sign up for the Powder & Bulk Solids Weekly newsletter.

You May Also Like