A tragic fire stemming from an explosion at the Tyson Foods plant in Camilla, Georgia, claimed one life and left others severely injured early Friday morning. Authorities are investigating the cause, with Tyson Foods confirming the death.
“We are working closely with local authorities to determine the cause of a late-night fire at our Camilla, Georgia facility that resulted in the death of one person and several injuries,” a spokesperson said. “We extend our deepest condolences to their family and friends during this difficult time.”
The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), which represents 1,600 workers at the Camilla facility, reported the incident as a boiler detonation.
Mitchell County Deputy Coroner Robby Willis identified the victim as a 61-year-old woman from Las Vegas. The woman, accompanying her truck driver husband at the plant, was sleeping in their truck when a concrete wall collapsed on it during the explosion. Her husband, inside the building, escaped uninjured. Her body was recovered after 2:00 p.m. Friday.
Big explosion at @TysonFoods Camilla, GA. Photo: Amber Hawkins, 23:30 12/26 pic.twitter.com/rX5RsTUhgg
— James Bowen (@RoosterBTU) December 27, 2024
“We are working with the company and local emergency authorities to ensure that all the workers impacted are taken care of,” said Stuart Appelbaum and Edgar Fields of RWDSU. “No worker should ever have to worry that when they go to work, they may not be able to return home safe and sound.”
Union representatives are assisting affected workers as authorities, including the Camilla Fire and Police Departments, investigate.
