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.
Ranger Road Fire has burned 283,000 acres across Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle and is nearing containment, as ranchers begin assessing cattle and infrastructure losses as they look toward recovery.
February 23, 2026 11:08 AM
·
The long-term viability of a ranching operation often hinges on how effectively its owners navigate the overlapping layers of IRS regulations, state tax incentives, and USDA disaster programs.
February 20, 2026 04:43 PM
·
Iowa farmer Derek Hommer joined us to discuss grain bin safety, ongoing prevention efforts, and the importance of community preparedness during Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety Week.
February 20, 2026 01:21 PM
·
New details on the massive wildfire threatening farms and ranches in the Southern Plains.
February 20, 2026 11:24 AM
·
The USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum highlights modest price support from tighter supplies across cotton, grains, dairy, livestock, and sugar into 2026.
February 19, 2026 01:48 PM
·
The Ranger Road Fire spreads from the Oklahoma Panhandle into Kansas as high winds and red flag conditions persist
February 19, 2026 01:01 PM
·
Lori Stevermer with the National Pork Producers Council reacts to the USDA’s speedline proposal, the new Farm Bill’s fix for California’s Prop-12, and other policy developments impacting the pork industry.
February 18, 2026 12:18 PM
·
Red Flag Warning in effect as high winds fuel fast-moving blaze across Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas
February 18, 2026 11:23 AM
·
Bayer’s Monsanto announces $7.25B class settlement for Roundup™ lawsuits alleging Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), covering claims over 21 years.
February 17, 2026 04:14 PM
·
