CHELAN, Wash. — One of the largest fruit packing and processing plants in the world burned almost to the ground in a massive fire, leaving hundreds of workers wondering what's next for them.
"My grandfather is part of this operation. My dad, my brother used to be part of it," explained Dave Lewman, who works in quality control. KIRO 7 News met him as he was walking along what's left of the row of Chelan Fruit Incorporated buildings.
Lewman says when the fruit processing and packaging plant burned, his whole family felt it. He said as its largest employer, the Valley staple has nearly 1,000 workers and hundreds of growers. There are a few other buildings, but most of them were destroyed in the lightning sparked fire that started Friday.
"It's been a long weekend, definitely had friends and family who lost homes, friends and neighbors, and it's traumatic to see a place so beautiful burn," said Mike Steele, the executive director of the Chelan area Chamber of Commerce. Two other businesses, a winery and lumber yard, in addition to the fruit packing and packaging plant, also burned.
The chamber says it's a major setback for a community that's largest industry is agriculture and second largest is tourism.
"Typically, this is one of our busiest weekends of the year, so we were at full capacity as far as camping and hotels and resorts," Steele said.
The Chamber of Commerce says rooms sat empty when tourists left or cancelled, but they'll be back next year. ;Steele says Chelan Fruit will be back in the same spot, too. He just doesn't know when.
"It's a blow to the whole community, no doubt about that," he concluded.
KIRO
