Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 4/2/10

House of Raeford Farms officials and local authorities are investigating the cause of a fire that ravaged the company's Maxton, N.C., poultry plant late Thursday night.

Spokesman Dave Witter told Meatingplace damage to the 61,000-square-foot building was "extensive" and the plant was rendered inoperable.

Employees reported the blaze to emergency responders just before midnight. About 100 area firefighters battled the blaze, according to local media reports.

Witter said no one was injured during the fire, which occurred during the plant's second production shift. There were 16 workers present at the time. "Fortunately everybody's OK," he said.

Still unknown is where and how the fire started. "The fire is still under investigation," he said.

The Maxton plant opened in 2006 and specializes in mechanically separated chicken that is sold to companies for products such as hot dogs, lunch meats and snack foods. The facility employs 60 people, all of whom will receive ordinary pay during the period in which operations are shut down, Witter said.

Meanwhile, company officials are trying to determine next steps, he said.

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