According to a report from KPIX5, a massive four-alarm fire erupted in Salinas, California’s, Taylor Farms food processing plant on the 1200 block of Abbott Street late Wednesday night, resulting in evacuation orders for the nearby neighborhoods.
Fire officials ordered the evacuation just before 2:20 a.m. for the areas between South Main Street, East Alisal Street, Alisal Road, and Harris Road because of the possibility of an explosion and hazmat plume of ammonia, which could impact the areas based on changes in wind direction.
SFD Chief Michele Vaughn said nearly 100 firefighters fought the flames in the cold storage processing plant, where a welding project ignited the fire in a wall and eventually spread to the attic of the 225,000 square-foot structure.
Salinas Fire Department (SFD) Deputy Chief and incident commander Sam Klemek said the fire progressed to where there was a significant risk for a potential ammonia explosion, so the department pulled back its units to a safer area and started giving evacuation notices.
As of 11:30 p.m., fire officials said the fire was not under control and there were multiple roof collapses, with large black plumes of smoke emanating from the building.
A shelter-in-place order was expanded to include the areas South of Constitution Boulevard to Spreckels Ave and East of Main Street and Highway 68 to Hartnell Road. Officials also asked nearby residents to remain indoors and keep pets inside; close all windows; and shut down heating, ventilation, and fans.
Officials also said they may expand the evacuation area to a full one-mile radius of U.S. Highway 101 in both directions. They asked the community to avoid the highway and use Old Stage Road instead.
The plant was empty of people or produce, as it was closed for the season and scheduled to reopen on Monday. Vaughn said there were no injuries in the fire, but propane tanks caused several explosions.
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