by Robert Boyd, Updated at 03:43pm, July 26, 2016
CLEARFIELD, Utah — Flames shot 30 to 40 feet in the air on Main Street in Clearfield Monday as a vitamin supplement laboratory burnt to the ground.
The lab, Balchem Chemicals, is located on 101 N. Main Street. Those from Clearfield may know it better by its previous name, Albion Laboratories.
Giant clouds of smoke smothered Main Street and the surrounding blocks, as neighbors stood on every corner watching and wondering what happened.
"I was very scared, because with it so hot and as dry as it is and with everything going on you don't know if it's going to spread," said neighbor Melissa Hunter.
According to the North Davis Fire District, there were 12 employees inside at the time, all of them made it out safely. However, what remained inside was the biggest concern for firefighters.
"We had potential for explosions from a number of 55 gallon drums of ethanol that were stored in the back of the structure," said Mark Sessions of the North Davis Fire District.
A few minor explosions did take place, which was the last thing one local business owner wanted to hear considering she operates a gas stations next to the lab.
"I was just like stay on the other side of the building whatever you do, but I was really thankful that a Hill Air Force Base fire truck was in our parking lot because they were very good," said Cindy Percipal of Walt's Gas Station.
Most nearby businesses shut down for the day, as more than 1,900 lost power. People said they couldn't stand to be in the area anymore, many of them evacuating on their own.
"It smelt almost like burnt tires, like rubber tires, it is choking," said Karrie Barney.
Six firefighters were also taken to the hospital due to heat but all of them are expected to be OK.
"It puts a strain on these guys and gals, these people have been through a hellacious firefighting experience today and they came through wonderful," Sessions said.
North Davis Fire District is calling the lab a total loss, an estimated $5 million in damages. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
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On July 25th 2016, North Davis Fire District was dispatched to a fire at 101 North Main Street in Clearfield. Units arrived to find smoke and flames coming out of the top of the business, formerly known as Albion Labs.
Albion Labs had sold the business to BalChem in February of this year. The business makes vitamin and mineral supplements for human and animal consumption.
Additional Fire units were called out as a five alarm fire because of the intense fire which had erupted. Units from North Davis Fire District, Layton, Clinton, Sunset, Roy, Syracuse, South Weber, Riverdale and Hill Air Force Base Fire responded and tried to stop the fire from spreading to other business's and homes in the close proximity of the fire.
There were two area's which caused a concern to firefighters one was the gas station with a large propane tank approximately 25 feet on the north side of the fire and a number of ethylene 55 gallon drums stored at the back of the labs. If either of these would of ignited we believe there would of been potential loss of life. With help from Clearfield Police and Davis County Sheriffs Department, business's and residence's of the mobile home park, to the rear of the structure, were evacuated and traffic was closed on State Road 126 { Main Street} from 300 North down to 200 South. Traffic control was assisted by a CERT team from the Clearfield area.
Fire and police personnel were kept hydrated and fed by American Red Cross, Papa Johns and Wendy's of Clearfield. They all are a very important part of the dynamics of fire fighting, which supplies these assets for citizens and personnel alike.
The damage to the business is estimated to be in excess of 5 Million dollars. Which will also cause a burden to families which were employed by Bal Chem.
A request was sent out for assistance from the Utah State Fire Marshalls investigative team to help the North Davis Fire District's Investigation Team headed by Deputy Chief John Taylor. Also to assist in the investigation and the safety to the investigators a large tractor unit was called in and took down some if the exterior walls of brick.
We do not believe there is any reason to believe that arson or any type of criminal activity caused the fire. The investigation may take up to three or four days
Power was knocked out for about 5 hours to area business's and residence's. With the temperature's rising into the hundred degree range, the fire took a toll on fire personnel which 1 firefighter was transported to a local hospital for heat, smoke and dehydration others were treated at the scene for dehydration. We would like to thank the public for adhering to our request in staying out of the area during the incident.