WAYNE, W.Va. — The fire that destroyed the Ballard’s Farm Sausage Plant in Wayne County earlier this week was an accident.
That’s according to investigators with the state Fire Marshal’s Office who have determined the blaze started Monday with an overloaded power outlet in an office. That fire quickly spread to a storage area that was filled with cardboard boxes and other materials and then swept through three other connected buildings
No one was hurt.
Ballard’s has been making sausage, lunch meats and homemade salads in Wayne County since 1946. The company’s products had been shipped to several states.
At this point, it’s not clear if the plant will reopen.
Most recently, 35 people had worked there.
A fund to help those employees has been set up through City National Bank. Checks made out to the “Ballard’s Employees Relief Fund” can be sent to City National Bank, P.O. Box 39, Wayne, WV 25570.