Two dozen firefighters treated for chemical burns after fire at Tyson Foods in Berryville

BERRYVILLE, Ark. — Two dozen firefighters and a Tyson employee were treated in a Berryville hospital last night after suffering chemical burns while fighting a fire at a Tyson Foods plant.

According to the Carroll County Department of Emergency Management Director Mike McKelvey, firefighters were called to the facility around 7 p.m. on Jan. 16 and spent around 45 minutes containing the flames.

McKelvey said the fire had been contained before crews noticed that chemicals were being released and were starting to break down their fire gear. 25 firefighters suffered minor burns, and were taken to Mercy Berryville for treatment, but have since been released and are stable, McKelvey said.

McKelvey said the burns were caused by 99% caustic soda beads, which are commonly used to clean machines and equipment in food processing plants.

McKelvey said there was no risk to the public outside the plant, as the chemicals were contained to the space where the fire had been burning.

Fire departments from Berryville, Eureka Springs, Green Forest and Oak Grove responded to the fire, along with Berryville Police, the Caroll County Sheriff's Office and Southern EMS.