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KREMMLING — The Confluence Energy wood pellet plant in Kremmling was partially destroyed Saturday morning, when a fire started in one of the plant’s dryers, according to Kremmling Fire Protection District Chief Tony Tucker.
Around 7 a.m. the fire moved to the highest part of the building, and much of the structure was saved thanks to a sprinkler system installed when the building was built this spring.
Confluence Energy’s Kremmling plant is one of the largest wood pellet production plants in the state, and the pellets are made from compressed pine beetle killed wood.
“Part of the requirements when the building was built was to have a sprinkler system installed,” Dwon Lewis with Extreme Fire Protection said. “The only reason that building is still standing is because of the sprinkler system.”
The Colorado Division of Fire Safety is now investigating the exact cause of the fire, and the plant is expected to stay closed while fire authorities asses the extent of the damage, Lewis said.
Silverthorne resident Mark Mathis, President and CEO of Confluence Energy, could not be reached for comment on Sunday.
Around 7 a.m. the fire moved to the highest part of the building, and much of the structure was saved thanks to a sprinkler system installed when the building was built this spring.
Confluence Energy’s Kremmling plant is one of the largest wood pellet production plants in the state, and the pellets are made from compressed pine beetle killed wood.
“Part of the requirements when the building was built was to have a sprinkler system installed,” Dwon Lewis with Extreme Fire Protection said. “The only reason that building is still standing is because of the sprinkler system.”
The Colorado Division of Fire Safety is now investigating the exact cause of the fire, and the plant is expected to stay closed while fire authorities asses the extent of the damage, Lewis said.
Silverthorne resident Mark Mathis, President and CEO of Confluence Energy, could not be reached for comment on Sunday.
