Feed processing plant destroyed

PIERREPONT MANOR — The loss is expected to exceed $1 million in a fire early Wednesday that leveled a feed processing building and its grain tower at Houghton Farm Supply, 15194 Route 193.

The state Office of Fire Control and Prevention had personnel on the scene later in the morning assisting Jefferson County fire investigators in an attempt to determine the cause of the blaze.

The grain tower, estimated to have stood between 80 and 100 feet high, had just been filled Tuesday with 17 tons of corn, said Joseph D. Plummer, the county's director of fire and emergency management. He said a backhoe was being used to remove debris to help investigators sift for clues about the cause.

Mr. Plummer said the fire is believed to have broken out at the rear, or west side, of the building, a location where grains were mixed. That could point to an electrical problem, but he added that over the years a lot of dust, cobwebs and other debris have collected in the area and could be sources of combustion.

The company, said to employ up to 15 people, was attempting to serve its customers Wednesday despite the fire, he said.

There is insurance coverage, but to what extent is yet to be determined, Mr. Plummer said.

The blaze was discovered at 2:10 a.m. by a passing motorist, said to be a milk truck driver employed by Jim Stockwell, Ellisburg. His 911 call prompted the dispatch of firefighters from seven departments: Mannsville, Adams, Lorraine, Ellisburg, Belleville, Sandy Creek and Lacona. At the height of the battle, he estimated at least 60 firefighters were on scene.

South Jefferson Ambulance stood by, but no injuries were reported, Mr. Plummer said.

He said firefighters were able to save the company's store, a storage building and buildings on the Dee McConnell farm, directly across a shared driveway from the fire scene.

"It was a lot of good luck and hard work by the firefighters, who were here real fast," Patricia McConnell said.

Sparks flew over their three barns, which housed about 200 head of cattle, she said.

Mrs. McConnell said she was awake about 1 a.m. and noticed "an odd smell, a very faint smell," but assumed it to be a lingering odor from something that was cooked for dinner. Then, she was awakened by a fire siren, and observed that firetrucks were on the scene.

She and her husband dressed and went out to check on their barns, finding they were not involved. They evacuated their middle barn, closest to the fire, and led the cows, their "high producers," out to their barnyard.

They then stood and watched, "hoping and praying that it wouldn't spread."

The company is owned by Ann Harter Houghton, Lacona, who assumed operation following the death of her husband, Allen H. Houghton, on May 21, 2008. Mr. Houghton was 52.

CSX railroad held trains until about 8 a.m., since its tracks run next to the site, Mr. Plummer said. Route 193 was closed between Route 11 and Interstate 81.