Full Breakdown
Major Fire Engulfs Greenfield Global Ethanol Plant in Chatham
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
In the early hours of Wednesday, Chatham-Kent firefighters were dispatched to a large blaze at the Greenfield Global ethanol plant on Bloomfield Road. Police said the fire is contained, poses no imminent danger to nearby residents, and that no injuries have been reported. Emergency crews remain on scene, and Bloomfield Road between Richmond Street and Riverview Drive has been closed with a public safety warning to avoid the area.
Background and Prior Fires
The facility, operating as Greenfield Global Inc., opened in late 1997 under the name Commercial Alcohols. It suffered two earlier grain-dryer fires: one shortly after opening in 1997 causing roughly $100,000 in damage, and another in spring 1999 with about $25,000 in damage. The current incident is the most significant fire recorded at the plant.
Production Profile
According to the company’s website, the distillery annually produces about 200 million litres of alcohol, 2,800 tons of corn oil, and 135,000 tons of dried distillers grains with solubles, using roughly 490,000 tons of locally sourced corn each year.
Official Responses and Potential Impact
Chatham-Kent police issued a public caution urging residents to stay clear of Bloomfield Road and Riverview Drive and to follow any road-closure directions from emergency personnel. Police emphasized that keeping the area clear allows responders to work safely and effectively. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, with further details expected later in the day. The fire temporarily halts ethanol output, which could affect regional corn markets and downstream fuel supplies given the plant’s substantial corn consumption. Emergency officials continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as the investigation proceeds.