February 2, 2017 - The Center Fire Department was dispatched to a trailer loaded with whole frozen chicken that was ablaze at the Tyson facility located on Shelbyville Street in Center on February 1, 2017 at 3:20pm.
When the firemen arrived, the trailer load of 'hot wings' was billowing yellow smoke from within the refrigerated trailer. Firemen sprayed water within the trailer from the rear; however, the fire continued growing and according to the Center Fire Department the firemen worked to address the fire from the front side. A hole was cut into the roof of the container to gain better access to the fire.
Although the majority of the fire was able to be extinguished, the contents of the container prevented the firemen from reaching the core of the flames and they regenerated, creating an even larger fire within the vessel.
The driver of the truck was Pablo Dominguez of Florida and as he pulled away from the loading dock, he noticed the burning odor and disconnected the truck he was driving before it became involved in the then imminent fire in the trailer.
To gain a better vantage on the flames, the CFD ladder truck was brought to the scene. The fire hydrant connection at the Tyson facility was faulty and a replacement connection had to be commandeered from another hydrant further down Shelbyville Street to supply water pressure to the ladder truck.
Firemen sprayed the flames from above and at the back of the trailer and the flames were finally completely extinguished. It was determined the fire started in the motor within the trailer that keeps the climate cool in the container.
The contents of the trailer were a total loss. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.
Center Fire Department returned to the station at 6:15pm.
