Firefighters extinguish propane fire at closed Nebraska plant that forced 8,000 to evacuate
By APThursday, December 10, 2009
Fire crews extinguish propane blaze at Neb. plant
NORFOLK, Neb. — The propane-fueled blaze at a closed manufacturing plant in Nebraska is out.
Norfolk city administrator Al Roder says firefighters extinguished the flames Thursday afternoon, hours after the fire forced the evacuation of about 8,000 people. There have been no reports of injuries.
Earlier, authorities worried that the flames that broke out at 7 a.m. would cause a 30,000-gallon propane tank at the plant to explode. People have now been allowed to return home.
The Protient plant manufactured and marketed dairy-based ingredients for dairy products. It closed in October 2008, but an Illinois company was leasing the plant.
Norfolk is a city of about 23,000 and lies 90 miles northwest of Omaha.
