The fire continues at the Patrick Cudahy meat plant in Milwaukee. WTMJ television reports that as of five-o’clock this morning, firefighters from more than 30 different communities had pumped more than nine million gallons of water into the plant. Residents of a number of communities in the area are being asked to curtail their water usage.
The cause of the fire which broke out Sunday evening has not been determined; officials say it could burn for another 24 to 36 hours. So far it has damaged production and storage areas of the facility. A one-mile radius around the factory was evacuated on Monday for fear of toxic fumes, that order was lifted last night after it was determined the air was safe.
Officials say the plant will reopen but have no idea when. Smithfield Foods owns the plant and says they have capacity available at other facilities to make up any product shortfalls.
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