Numerous agencies respond to explosion

HERMISTON – Umatilla County Fire District No. 1 responded to a reported explosion at Shearer’s Foods, one of the largest potato chip plants in the area, at 12:51 p.m. Tuesday. UCFD officials say the explosion was a portable boiler fueled by natural gas.

Six injured people were taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center. It is believed that none of the injuries were life threatening. Evacuations were put in place for homes to the south of the plant which is off Highway 207 as well as the Comfort Inn and Suites.

Union Pacific was notified not to use the railroad, and the Oregon Department of Transportation shut the highway down south of the plant. A plume of smoke traveled south, and it was felt the plume was too high in the air to threaten public safety.

“This is the largest fire our district has seen in the last decade,” UCFD No. 1 stated in a news release.

There were roughly 60 firefighters working together on the scene. First responders include Umatilla Rural Fire District, Umatilla Tribal Fire Department, East Umatilla Fire & Rescue, Pendleton Fire Department, Irrigon Fire Department Echo Fire Department, Ione Fire Department, Lexington Fire Department, Boardman Fire Department, Heppner Fire Department, Morrow County EMS, Hermiston Police Department, Oregon State Police, Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hermiston Water Department. No damage estimate has yet been given.

MYCB photo

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Elkhorn Media Group

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