By Jeff Devine, Editor-in-Chief, Dale County Chronicle
Emergency responders shut down a significant stretch of West Magnolia Avenue Monday night after a fire broke out at a hemp processing facility in Geneva, temporarily disrupting traffic leading into the downtown area.
The blaze occurred at Samson Extracts, located along West Magnolia Avenue, shortly before 10:30 p.m. Officials say the fire originated in an upper section of the building, in an area believed to house containers of highly combustible chemical materials used in the production process.
Fire crews were able to bring the situation under control without any reported explosions, and authorities confirmed the fire was successfully contained. The roadway closure remained in place while emergency personnel worked to secure the scene and eliminate remaining hazards.
Preliminary information indicates the fire may have been caused by an electrical issue, though investigators continue to examine the scene to determine the exact origin.
Samson Extracts operates as a manufacturing facility that processes hemp to extract chemical compounds used in a range of commercial products, such as CBD oil and other products. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
The image included with this article is of a Samson Extracts™ hemp greenhouse.
