UPDATE–Shearer’s Snacks Fire in Hermiston Closes Plant–For Now

According to updates, the plant will be closed for a while

Explosion, natural gas fire collapses at least part of Shearer's Snacks in Hermiston

According to area fire officials 60 crewmen from area Fire District 1 and some from 8 other agencies responded to the massive fire that followed the explosion Tuesday just prior to 1 PM. in Hermiston.

Part of Highway 207 was closed off from traffic, and Union Pacific Railroad officials moved some cars further away down the track from the plant. They also closed traffic on the rail line in the area as a precaution.

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The East Oregonian said the plant's damage will have an impact on the community as the plant employs a lot of workers. However, while one warehouse was destroyed, fire crews were able to keep the flames from spreading to other areas.

No timetable has yet been established for when the plant might be able to resume production.  These images are courtesy of Umatilla County Fire District 1 by way of the Umatilla County Sheriff's Office.

In one of the images showing the affected warehouse, you can see where the metal sides and roof have actually melted due to heat from the blaze.