Firefighters worked into the night to control a fire that broke out late Friday at the Cache Valley Dairy, the site of a toxic blaze two years ago that caused millions of dollars in damage.
Authorities said the fire started in a shop area of the plant about 10:30 p.m. after lightning struck and shorted some electrical wiring.Several minor explosions boosted the flames as the fire spread toward a section of the facility where cheese and other products are wrapped, but firefighters were able to control the fire before flames reached it by bringing in their own water.
About 40 employees were in the building when thre fire broke out, but no injuries were reported.
Officials evacuated the immediate area because of the presence of toxic materials at the plant.
The hazardous materials, however, were not damaged by the fire.
Doug Lawson of the Western Dairymen's Coop Inc., which owns the dair, said there was no considerable damage and the dairy, which produces Cache Valley Cheese, will reopen sometime next week.
A fire at the same plant in March 1990 caused extensive damage and involved hazardous materials, including ammonia.