A fire swept through a chicken processing plant Tuesday, killing at least 14 people and injuring more than 30, authorities said. Other workers were unaccounted for.
Dr. Tom Ross, county medical examiner, said he had confirmed 14 dead in the 8:30 a.m. fire at the Imperial Food Products plant. He said the number was based on reports from the Hamlet fire chief and Richmond Memorial Hospital.Witnesses told the Richmond County Daily Journal that a fryer at the plant caught fire. The company makes chicken nuggets and marinated chicken breasts sold at fast-food restaurants and grocery stores.
One firefighter said firefighters were having trouble searching for missing people because of intense heat and smoke in the building.
Hamlet Police Capt. Robert Bristow said 100 employees were at the plant when the fire occurred. The Richmond County Chamber of Commerce said it employs up to 250 people.
The interior of the one-story brick building was gutted.
Early Tuesday afternoon, two more people were brought out of the plant. They appeared to be severely injured; paramedics were working to try to save them.
"When I arrived I didn't have hope for anybody coming out of here. They're beating all the odds," said a police officer.