Fire destroys Con-Agra potato cellar in American Falls

Power County Sheriff’s department investigators say a fire that destroyed a new potato cellar at Con Agra Foods on Lamb-Weston Road in American Falls was accidentally started by a welder.

Sheriff Jim Jeffries said the fire started around 12:50 p.m. Wednesday and put out by 2 p.m. He said the cellar that caught fire is badly damaged and collapsed in the middle.

When the cellar caught fire, he said urethane insulation inside began to burn, releasing toxic smoke. People nearby were backed away to a safe distance.

The cellars have been evacuated, but there were no reported injuries. There has been no estimate of damages.

Jeffries said flames were out, but the building was still smoldering. Firefighters are standing by to monitor the fire.