South Bend, IN – Firefighters contained an early-morning commercial fire at the South Bend Ethanol Plant, preventing injuries and wider damage.
According to the South Bend Fire Department, crews were dispatched around 1:30 a.m. Monday to the 3200 block of West Calvert Street following a report of a fire at the ethanol production facility. Upon arrival, firefighters found an active fire inside a rotary steam grain dryer, a critical component used in processing grain.
Fire crews established an attack line and began suppression operations shortly after arrival. The department said the fire was brought under control within approximately 20 minutes, limiting the impact to the affected equipment area.
No injuries were reported among plant workers or firefighters, officials confirmed. There was no immediate word on how many employees were on site at the time or whether operations were temporarily halted as a result of the incident.
Images released by the department show fire engines positioned beneath the plant’s industrial piping and structural supports, with water pooling on the ground as crews worked overnight. Firefighters could be seen operating hoses near large processing equipment, indicating a targeted interior response rather than a defensive operation.
The cause of the fire has not been released, and it remains unclear whether the incident is under investigation or if damage estimates are available. Fire officials did not report any off-site impacts, evacuations, or environmental hazards connected to the incident.
The South Bend Ethanol Plant is located in an industrial area on the city’s west side, near rail and freight corridors frequently used by overnight workers and early-morning commuters. No road closures or traffic disruptions were reported in connection with the response.
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