UPDATE: 5:00 p.m.
ARLINGTON — An estimated $1.5 million damage was caused this afternoon by the smoky fire that broke out on the roof of the National Food Corporation egg processing plant in Arlington.
An Arlington firefighter received burns to his neck when hot tar dripped on him, said Chris Badger, spokeswoman for Arlington Fire Department. The firefighter, in his 30s, was not believed to be seriously injured but was being taken to an area hospital as a precaution.
About 100 people work at the plant. None of them were injured when the fire broke out at about 2 p.m., Badger said.
It appears as if the blaze was sparked by work that was being done on the roof, she said.
The fire was declared extinguished at about 4 p.m. but was expected to smolder for hours. Roads in the area near the plant likely will remain closed for much of tonight.
The plant was expected to remain closed Thursday, Badger said.
UPDATE: 4:30 p.m.
Heavy smoke has begun to clear at the National Food Corporation plant that caught fire this afternoon.
Crews appeared to have the blaze largely under control and ceased dousing the building’s roof with water at about 4 p.m.
The fire drew attention from the curious and concerned.
Jose Samayoa, 21, lives nearby and said he worked at the plant until about five months ago. He said he was concerned for friends still employed by the company.
“It’s sad,” he said.
Shyann Young, 13, of Marysville, joined her friends after dance class to watch the firefighting efforts.
“Our friends texted us that there was a huge fire. We were just kind of scared. It was so close to our studio,” she said.
UPDATE: 3:45 p.m.
The fire went to three alarms and was being fought by crews from throughout north Snohomish County.
Visible flames were extinguished before 3:30 p.m., but smoke from the blaze was still visible as far away as south Everett.
ARLINGTON — A two-alarm fire is burning at the National Food Corporation at 16900 51st Ave. NE in Arlington. Thick black smoke can be seen from the roof.
The street is closed at 172nd so fire crews can get in and out, officials said.
As of 2:30 p.m., crews were determining how best to fight the fire.
National Food Corporation is an egg and poultry processing facility.
PUD is also on scene.
Arlington resident Bill Gillam has some great shots of the fire here, here and here.
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