Fire Rips Through Kingsford Charcoal Plant in Central Missouri

BELLE, MO (KTVI) -A charcoal plant in mid Missouri goes up in flames.  It began early Friday morning just outside of Belle, Missouri at the Kingsford Charcoal Plant. Steve Miller, the plant manager, said the fire was in the warehouse where they store bags of charcoal.

There were not a lot of flames still it was a smoky fire.  As many as 9 fire departments responded to the scene.  Miller was pleased by the fire departments quick response. 

He said the company has a fire suppression system, “We have fire sprinklers and we have fire containment doors and this has actually been contained to one small issue but it’s smoky and it’s causing an access issue.”

No one was injured.  Production at the plant was halted.  Miller said he hopes to resume production tomorrow.  He doesn’t think the fire will hurt the nationwide supply of charcoal during the grilling season.  120 people in the area work at the plant.  It’s the biggest employer in the area. 

No cause on the fire has been determined.  Just last week a fire at a different charcoal company plant occurred about seven miles away.  City officials say that fire was ruled accidental.