OLIVEHURST, Calif. --
Dozens of people were evacuated from the area around an Olivehurst fruit packing plant as it was ravaged by flames Friday night.
The fire ignited sometime around 8 p.m. on the 3700 block of Feather River Boulevard, inside one of Yuba County's largest such plants.
Witnesses said flames were 80 to 90 feet high when the fire first started. An orange glow from the blaze was visible for miles several hours later.
Evacuations were ordered for about 50 people because firefighters were concerned flames might reach the cold-storage area, with its potentially toxic chemicals. However, that area of the plant didn't burn, and the evacuation order was lifted before midnight.
Seven fire departments helped battle the blaze. Three firefighters suffered smoke inhalation but were doing OK.
It's unclear how the fire started.
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