According to a report from CBS13, Amador County, California’s, Ampine manufacturing plant, which produced desks and cabinets, employed more than 150 people, and was nearing its 50-year anniversary, was gutted by a massive fire on Monday.
The afternoon fire could be seen from a lookout tower at Mt. Zion State Park. On arrival, fire crews found the structure already engulfed despite making it to the scene quickly.
Amador Fire Protection District Chief Walt White said that one of the biggest challenges they faced was the fuel load. The contents of the building added a great deal of fuel to the fast-moving fire.
The plant was the state’s last remaining timber production plant and had employed generations of Amador County residents. The flames also spread to nearby vegetation, although fire officials said several spot fires have been contained.
One firefighter was injured and transported to a local hospital but is expected to recover. Firefighters are expected to stay at the scene for the remainder of the week.
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