FAIRFIELD, OHIO (RFD NEWS) — The body of an employee who had been unaccounted for following a massive fire at the Koch Foods poultry processing plant in Fairfield has been recovered, authorities confirmed Monday.
The fire, which began early Sunday morning, prompted a three-alarm response from more than 100 firefighters. An explosion was reported during the blaze, and part of the 600,000-square-foot facility suffered a roof collapse.
The deceased has been identified as Griffin Darrow, 25, according to the Butler County Coroner’s Office. Smoke inhalation is believed to be the cause of death. At least three other workers were injured; two were treated and released from a local hospital.
During the response, officials issued a two-mile shelter-in-place order due to concerns about ammonia refrigerant tanks on site. Air monitoring later confirmed that no hazardous levels were detected in the surrounding area, and the order was lifted.
Investigators from the Fairfield Fire Investigation Unit, the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office, and federal agencies, including OSHA, are reviewing the cause of the fire and explosion.
Farm work is hard work, and as the harvest season brings heavier workloads, experts are urging producers to pay closer attention to joint pain and ways to prevent it.
September 24, 2025 04:24 PM
·
On this week’s episode of
FarmHER + RanchHER, host Kirbe Schnoor travels to Wilson’s ranch to see how she blends tradition and technology to raise elite Red Angus cattle.
September 24, 2025 04:02 PM
·
National Education Center for Ag Safety Director Dan Neenan joins us to discuss grain bin safety and the steps producers can take to prevent tragedies.
September 24, 2025 02:19 PM
·
Kevin Charleston with Specialty Risk Insurance joined us Tuesday to share his perspective on farm safety and risk management during fall harvest.
September 23, 2025 04:33 PM
·
UNL Animal Science Ph.D candidate Anna Kobza joined us on Tuesday’s
Market Day Report to share her agriculture story and tips for other producers hoping to share their ag stories online or with the media.
September 23, 2025 03:24 PM
·
China is making strategic moves by purchasing more soybeans from Argentina and may soon follow the EU and reopen its market to Brazilian chicken exports.
September 23, 2025 01:21 PM
·
