UPDATE: Large fire burns Smithfield Foods in Monmouth

The Farmland Division of the Smithfield Foods plant in Monmouth will be closed to only maintenance and administrative personnel today, following a massive Labor Day fire that some authorities said could be seen from Galesburg.

More than 12 agencies responded to the blaze that severely burned what Monmouth city officials say is the largest employer in Western Illinois. 

Monmouth City Administrator Lowell Crow said at a press conference that a call came in shortly before 5:10 p.m. indicating fire and smoke were prevalent at the facility. 

Smithfield along with Cloverleaf Cold Storage and Prairie Point Housing Authority which are adjacent to the plant were evacuated shortly after authorities arrived on scene.

“All personnel are accounted for,” Crow told reporters. “As of this time, we have no news of any injuries on scene. The fire is under control and they are allowing people back to Prairie Point.”

Crow had no information on the amount of damage or the fire’s origins. Yesterday was a day off for the bulk of employees, so only a small clean up crew was present.

The question remains as to how long operations will be halted at the plant? 

Smithfield Foods employs about 1,600 workers, nearly all of whom don’t know when they’ll be headed back to work.

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PRELIMINARY REPORT 8:20 p.m.– Farmland Division of Smithfield Foods plant in Monmouth caught fire Monday evening but City of Monmouth officials say the fire is now contained. No injuries or fatalities have been reported. Monmouth City Administrator Lowell Crow at a press conference said a call came into Monmouth Fire at 5:09 p.m. indicating fire and smoke. Both Cloverleaf Cold Storage and Prairie Point Housing Authority adjacent to the plant were evacuated but Prairie Point residents have since been allowed to return. Crow had no information on the amount of damage or the fire’s origin. Today was a day off for the bulk of employees so only a small clean up crew was present and they are all safe and accounted for. Agencies responding included Galesburg Fire, GHAS, Monmouth Fire, Abingdon Fire, Kirkwood Fire, Little York Fire, Roseville Fire, Monmouth PD, Warren County Police, Illinois State Police, Monmouth Warren Auxiliary and Illinois Fire Marshal. Smithfield Foods is the largest employer in Western Illinois with about 1,600 employees. We’ll have continuing coverage of this story on WGIL.

UPDATE 7:23 p.m.–Police and Fire officials are holding a press conference shortly. We will bring you information from that meeting as soon as we can

UPDATE 6:50 p.m.– WGIL’s Cameron Line says smoke and flames look to be subsiding, through are still prevalent. Firefighters are moving closer to the building to battle the blaze.

UPDATE 6:39 p.m.–WGIL’s Cameron Line will be speaking with Monmouth Police Chief Bill Feithen shortly, who is expected to provide more details surrounding the fire. Police are saying “reports that you can see the fire from Galesburg are not exaggerated.”