MARSHALL, Minn. (AP) -- An early morning fire Friday damaged the former Heartland Turkey plant, but its new owners say it won't stop plans to restart production there next spring.
The blaze broke out shortly after 2 a.m. Fire Chief Mark Klaith said it appeared to be caused by a cutting torch or welding equipment used in demolition work started on Thursday.
``It heated something up in the roof area and it ignited,'' Klaith said.
Iowa Turkey Producers of Postville, Iowa, recently purchased the plant from Jennie-O Foods. The company is moving its operations from Iowa to Marshall following a fire in December that destroyed its Postville plant.
The damage from Friday's fire was contained to a second-story office area, which was gutted, and an old and unused part of the plant.
``We were very, very lucky,'' plant manager Keith Burger said. ``The damage was in areas that were going to be demolished.''
He said the office area would need to be replaced.
The company said its plans for opening the plant would remain on track. City officials said the opening would be good for the local economy.
``We will restore the lost jobs and the impact on the agriculture community and turkey production will be bolstered,'' said Mayor Bob Byrnes.
