Friday October 20, 2017
8:00 am Update on the Industrial Fire in Bingen
The Underwood Fruit & Warehouse Co. fire is under control and contained to the building of origin. The public should expect to see minor smoke from the site for 1 to 2 more days.
Investigators are on site and Bingen Fire Department is checking on conditions periodically. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Additional details Thursday morning
The fire yesterday at Underwood Fruit and Warehouse Company on the west side of Bingen lit up the sky at 5:45 am and was still burning 12 hours later. The intense flames burned through a power line that feeds about 600 homes in the areas and caused the colosure of SR 14 which also serves as the main street in Bingen. Firefighters from 11 Klickitat County fire departments, as well as Burlington Northern Santa Fe fire train, Hood River Fire Department, Skamania Fire Department, and Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue from The Dalles. A major concern was keeping enough water on ammonia tanks at the site from overheating. No word this morning on the cause of the fire or an estimate of damages. Underwood Fruit CEO Don Gibson says three pear warehouses appeared to be destroyed. Gibson said it’s peak pear season and about 150 people were involved in the fruit’s packing and shipping. No word on how much of the crop was lost. He also said 70 workers are designated to apple processing and packing, but that sector doesn’t appear to be in harms way. He said no one was in the buildings where fire broke out. The company which packs and ships for about 50 growers, employs about 270 workers at the site. Gibson said the economic impact is going to be big big for the company and the area until they can get a new facility built, which he expects to not be for another 12-18 months. Still, he urged his employees to remain optimistic.
UPDATE from Klickitat County Emergency Management at 4:45 p.m.
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, October 18, 2017 4:45 pm
Update on the Industrial Fire in Bingen The fire is still contained to one building. However due to
structural instability the fire continues to burn on the interior. Fire Command expects the fire to flare up and burn additional material releasing heavy smoke again. Anticipate smoke in the area for the next few hours. If smoke becomes heavy in your area, stay inside and keep windows and doors closed.
Hwy 14 is currently open with traffic controls in place to provide for the safety of the firefighters and the public. The highway may be closed and a detour put in place at any time if conditions change. The public is encouraged to avoid the area.
UPDATE from Klickitat County Emergency Management at 11:45 a.m.
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
At approximately 5:45 this morning, Wednesday, October 18, 2017 an Industrial fire broke out at the Underwood Fruit & Warehouse Co. on the west end of Bingen, WA. At this time the fire is isolated to the building of origin. Areas of Bingen and White Salmon are experiencing power outages due to the fire. There have been no hazardous material released off site and there are no evacuation orders in place at this time.
There are 11 Klickitat County fire departments, Burlington Northern Santa Fe fire train, Hood River Fire Department, Skamania Fire Department, and Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue involved in the firefighting efforts.
Hwy 14 is currently open with traffic controls in place to provide for the safety of the firefighters and the public. The highway may be closed and a detour put in place at any time if conditions change. The public is encouraged to avoid the area.
Anticipate smoke in the area for the next few hours. If smoke becomes heavy in your area, stay inside and keep windows and doors closed.
Previous news:
The Underwood Fruit warehouse and packing shed in Bingen is on fire this morning. Reports say the fire started about 6 a.m. Emergency personnel from several fire departments are on the scene as well as the Washington State Patrol, Washington Department of Transportation and other emergency agencies.
No word at this hour on whether or not anyone was injured in the blaze.
Dan Ericksen of The Dalles Cherry Growers says they do not process cherries at that plant but at the one in Dallesport. The Bingen plant has both storage and a packing line and primarily handles apples and pears from the Hood River Valley.
A previous warehouse on that site burned in 1955.
White Salmon School District says buses are on road restriction routes in the area. They said the buses will not stop at Dickey farms because of the warehouse fire. They say Dickey farms kids should meet at the Alder/Humbolt stop.