Vitalix plant destroyed in fire

Vitalix, the company that makes molasses-based feed supplements for livestock, lost its manufacturing plant in Alliance, NE, to a fire June 22. According to local Fire Chief Troy Shoemaker, the fire was reported around 1:15 a.m. By the time firefighters arrived, part of the plant was already on the ground. Firefighters from three agencies assisted in putting out the fire and were on scene for roughly 12 hours. Shoemaker said it involved the entire manufacturing plant. In a Facebook post on June 22, Vitalix said, “It’s with a heavy heart we share that the Vitalix plant in Alliance burnt this morning. We have little details right now, but we can share that no one was injured or hurt, so we have a lot to be thankful for in that regard.” On June 23, the company again posted on Facebook, saying, while the Alliance plant is out of commission, “Vitalix will start running 24/7 by midweek at our other plant locations. We’re sending out crews to stay on top of everything and to keep up with our orders and demand.” The company has manufacturing plants in Wilton, IA, and Quincy, WA. The Nebraska state fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire. — WLJ