For the second time since Monday, Las Cruces firefighters helped extinguish a fire at the Olam Spices and Vegetables processing plant on west Amador Avenue.
Shortly before 7 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, firefighters were dispatched to the report of a fire at the Olam plant at 1650 W. Amador Ave. Witnesses saw a large plume of black smoke and flames coming from a large chile processing hopper located on the exterior of the main building.
The Olam plant was evacuated, and firefighters were able to extinguish the fire within minutes. The fire was contained within the processing machinery. Firefighters worked with Olam staff to ensure the fire was out and operations in other areas of the plant could resume.
The cause of the fire is under investigation and damage estimates are unknown.
On Monday, about 5:30 p.m., firefighters responded to the same plant and extinguished a fire that originated in a large commercial roaster in another section of the building. In Monday’s incident, the fire started in a commercial roaster and spread to a ventilation unit. Monday’s fire was contained to the commercial roaster and its ventilation unit.
Fire investigators believe residual matter, possibly on a conveyer belt, may have contributed to Monday’s fire.
No injuries were reported in either incident.