One person died and two were hospitalized with injuries after an overnight fire at a Tyson Foods plant in southwest Georgia, state officials said Friday.
Tyson said it was working with local authorities to determine the cause of the fire. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, which represents 1,600 workers at the plant, said Friday that a boiler had exploded at the plant.
“We extend our deepest condolences to their family and friends during this difficult time. Right now we are still gathering the facts, but ensuring the safety of our team members is our top priority, and we are conducting a full investigation into the cause of the fire,” Tyson said in a statement.
Bryce Rawson, a spokesperson for the State Fire Marshal’s Office, confirmed the death and injuries but said he couldn't share anything further Friday afternoon since the investigation was ongoing.
The plant in Camilla, which has a population of about 5,000 people, is the largest employer in Mitchell County. Tyson bought it in 2018 as part of its $2.16 billion purchase of Keystone Foods. The union said the plant primarily produces chicken nuggets and chicken fillets for restaurants.
“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy down here and Tyson is a major part of that,” Camilla Mayor Kelvin Owens said.
Owens said Tyson is more than just an employer to the city.
“Not only are they important to the economy, they’re important to us as people,” Owens said. “We consider them family and we’re going to do everything we can to support them during this time.”
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AP Writers Jeff Amy in Atlanta and Charlotte Kramon in Los Angeles contributed.
