At 23:07, KVFD was dispatched for a commercial machinery fire at the Lignetics (former AWP) pellet plant. Engine 56 arrived with 5 personnel and talked with plant staff and found a material fire inside of the material drying system. Crews went to work with handlines and tools to attempt to remove the material through the only access point, at the bottom of the material hopper. After realizing how much work and water this would take, Company 1 Albright and Company 11 Terra Alta were requested, as well as a second page for Kingwood. Engine 55 and Attack 5 responded, as well as Company 1 Utility 4 and Tanker 2, and Company 11 Engine Tanker 163. With the given temps as low as -3°, issues started arising with frozen tools, handlines, apparatus pump failures, frozen ground we were walking on and more. We eventually got enough material removed to access a second access hatch where crews were able to use hand tools to remove the involved material. A secondary issue started to begin with smoldering material into the next machinery in line but built in fire suppression system took care of it. KAMP Ambulance was also on scene with us for EMS support. Plant Staff also assisted us throughout the night. All crews cleared the scene at 1:35 a.m.
