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Photo courtesy of Suffolk Fire and Rescue

At 12:11 p.m. on April 13, 2024, Franklin Fire and Rescue received a 911 call for a fire alarm at the commercial facility located at 32126 General Thomas Highway, Franklin, VA 23851, Hampton Farms.  According to Franklin Fire and Rescue, the facility had a fire in the roaster (oven).  The roaster was shut down and the employees of the business were evacuated.  The building was extremely smoky, which complicated the extinguishment of the fire.  The fire was determined to be contained in the roaster and the exhaust system.  Extra personnel and outside fire departments were called to help extinguish the fire and prevent the spread of the fire outside of the roaster.  Damage to the facility is being checked by the plant personnel.  As of 7 p.m., fire personnel remain on the scene, monitoring the situation and assisting the facility personnel.

Assisting departments included Franklin Fire and Rescue, Boykins Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Carrsville Volunteer Fire, Courtland Volunteer Fire, Courtland Volunteer Rescue, Hunterdale Volunteer Fire, Isle of Wight Emergency Services, Newsoms Volunteer Fire, Sedley Volunteer Fire, Ivor Volunteer Fire, Suffolk Fire and Rescue and Windsor Volunteer Fire.  There were no injuries reported and the scene is safe at this time.  We want to thank our neighboring departments and the help by facility personnel in the extinguishment of this fire.