Fire contained at American Crystal

East Grand Forks fire crews battled a blaze that broke out this afternoon inside a dryer at American Crystal Sugar. The plant has resumed normal operations.

Two engines, one aerial tower and 15 firefighters responded to a call that came in about 2:40 p.m.

“The fire had gotten outside the dryer,” East Grand Forks Assistant Fire Chief Gary Larson said. “The dried pulp creates a pretty fine dust that ignites like a slow burning fuse.”

Larson said when crews arrived, American Crystal workers already had two steam lines going to extinguish the fire. The blaze was quickly brought under control. Larson said his crews had to remove insulation from vents to clean out the dust. He said some repairs are needed but not enough to shut down operations.

About a dozen employees were working when the fire broke out. They waited in a break area outside the building. Altru Ambulance was on the scene but did not treat anyone.

East Grand Forks Fire and Rescue and the East Grand Forks Police Department also responded.

Reach Johnson at (701) 780-1262; (800) 477-6572, ext. 262; or send e-mail to jjohnson2@gfherald.com.