CORTLAND – A fire broke out at a soybean crushing plant west of Cortland on Saturday afternoon, prompting a swift response from multiple area fire departments.
The Hamilton Township Volunteer Fire Department reported that the fire was called in at 3:20 p.m. at the White River Nutrition plant, located at 6874 North Base Road. The facility was formerly owned by Benson Hill and Rose Acre Farms, Inc.
Firefighters from Hamilton Township were dispatched to the scene. They were supported by an automatic mutual aid response that included the Pershing Township and Redding Township volunteer fire departments, as well as the Brownstown and Seymour fire departments.
Upon arrival, the initial Hamilton Township fire truck encountered a fire within the plant’s bag house. According to a news release from the Hamilton Township Volunteer Fire Department, the Seymour Fire Department’s 100-foot Ladder 1 was instrumental in providing access to the fire.
Fortunately, the facility’s internal fire protection system activated, which played a crucial role in containing the blaze and limiting the damage.
Officers from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department also responded to the incident, and medical personnel with Jackson County Emergency Medical Services were placed on standby at the scene as a precautionary measure.
The White River Nutrition plant has seen a change in ownership in recent years. Benson Hill acquired the facility from Rose Acre Farms Inc. in 2021 and subsequently sold it to White River Nutrition in 2023. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
