Dive Brief:

• At least 11 people were hospitalized after a chemical fire sent fumes spewing into the air around Knouse Foods in Orrtanna, Penn.
• A tractor-trailer carrying hazardous materials at the apple-processing plant caught fire, according to officials. Explosions kept firefighters at bay, and thick, dangerous smoke blanketed the area.
• The injured were treated at two local hospitals and were later released.
• Knouse Foods is a grower-owned co-operative that sells apple-based products such as Musselman's apple sauce.

Dive Insight:

We see these kind of stories too often. Just a few weeks ago, a fire tore through a meat processing facility owned by Cargill. And each time we are reminded that the food business can be a dangerous one. 

We are grateful that in this particular case, there were no deaths. And we pray that those exposed to the fumes will suffer no long-term damage.