Utah animal feed plant fire forces evacuations

The Associated Press
Monday, Dec. 19, 2011

A fire at a Utah animal feed plant has knocked out power to more than 1,100 customers and forced authorities to evacuate some nearby workers and residents.Crews responded to the blaze Monday morning at Fur Breeders Agricultural Cooperative in Sandy, south of Salt Lake City.

Authorities say the evacuations were necessary because the burning building contains ammonia and other chemicals.State health officials and Utah National Guard are monitoring air quality. City spokeswoman Trina Duerksen says nothing dangerous had been detected yet.

No injuries have been reported. Duerksen says most of the fire has been contained.

The same cooperative was the target of a pipe bombing by Animal Liberation Front activists in 1997, though at a different building. Authorities do not believe Monday's fire was arson.