Firefighters responded to a chile processing plant in New Mexico twice this week after fires ignited in a roaster and a hopper.

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Image courtesy of Las Cruces Fire Department

Crews were called to the Olam Spices and Vegetables processing plant in Las Cruces, NM twice this week to douse fires in machinery, the Las Cruces Fire Department said in a release.

The first fire broke out on Monday evening in a large commercial roaster inside the plant, spreading flames to its ventilation unit. Firefighters responded to the Amador Avenue site around 5:30 p.m. and were able to contain the blaze to the roaster and ventilations system.

“Fire investigators believe residual matter, possibly on a conveyor belt, may have contributed to Monday’s fire,” the fire department said in a post on its Facebook page.

Firefighters were sent to the plant for a second time around 7 a.m. Wednesday after a witness observed a large volume of black smoke and flames coming from a large chile processing hopper located outside of the structure.

“The fire was contained to the processing machinery. Firefighters worked with Olam staff to ensure the fire was out and operations in other areas of the plant could resume,” said Las Cruces Fire.

A cause of the first fire has not been established and no damage estimate is available, officials said.

No injuries were logged in both of the fires.

About the Author(s)

Powder Bulk Solids Staff

Established in 1983, Powder & Bulk Solids (PBS) serves industries that process, handle, and package dry particulate matter, including the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical markets.

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