Huge fire hits Industrial Pallet Corp., gets massive response

CLARKS HILL, Ind. (WLFI) - Tippecanoe County Deputies confirm the Industrial Pallet Corp. in Clarks Hill caught fire Saturday night.

According to the Frankfort Fire Department, the call came in just after 8 Saturday evening.

Fire Chief John Kirby said more than 130 firefighters from 22 different fire departments from Tippecanoe and Clinton counties were battling the fire.

Kirby also said more than 20 tankers were called in the defensive operation on the pallet plant.

Deputies warned neighbors about the magnitude of the fire, in case it started to spread.

"I looked over and saw it, and it was already up through the top of the building," said David Banpelt, whose home is near Industrial Pallet Corp. "There have been fires here before, but mostly in the piles of wood in the back where the sawdust is back there. It's the first time it's ever caught the building on fire."

Deputies said the northbound lanes of US 52 South at State Road 28 East are closed. They said the lanes will be closed for an undetermined amount of time, and urge drivers to use an alternate route.

It is unknown at this time if any injuries occurred in the fire.

Industrial Pallet Corp. has locations in Indiana and Pennsylvania. For more on what goes on at the company's facilities at its website.