Why Is Fatal Hermiston Onion Shed Fire Still Being Investigated?

A June 1 fatal fire that killed an agricultural worker is still being investigated, and officials say it could be two more months before it's finished. Among the problems making it difficult is that the one person who probably saw the fire break out died in the building.

Oregon's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) department is going through the wreckage and examining the site of the large 400 by 150 foot single-story onion storage shed owned by Columbia Basin Spreaders.

The fire killed 62-year-old Joseph Adams of Umatilla. Company officials say at the time of the fire, the building was undergoing renovations designed to update the airflow system.

OSHA legally has up to six months to complete their task, but this one has been difficult because there were no direct witnesses who saw the outbreak of the fire. It was only reported after people saw the smoke billowing from the building which was completely destroyed. It caused some $1.2 million dollars in damages.

Once OSHA has finished it's investigation it will present their findings, including if any fault is to be assigned or any issues that led to the fire and fatality.

The structure was one of 18 used by the company to store produce, they eventually plan to rebuild the structure.