Tragic Fire at Tyson Foods Plant in Georgia Leaves One Dead and Two Hospitalized

ATLANTA—A woman lost her life and two others sustained injuries following a fire that broke out overnight at a Tyson Foods facility in southwest Georgia, according to state officials on Friday.

The incident involved a wall collapsing onto the cab of an 18-wheeler parked outside the plant, as reported by Mitchell County Coroner Robby Willis to The Associated Press. The victim was identified as Bajarma Batozhapov, 61, from Las Vegas, and she was the wife of a truck driver who was asleep inside the vehicle.

The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, representing 1,600 employees at the site, indicated that a boiler might have exploded. Tyson has confirmed they are collaborating with local authorities to ascertain the cause of the fire, which raged for nearly three hours.

Heavy machinery was necessary to clear the debris from the truck, and it wasn’t until around 2 p.m. Friday that the woman’s body was retrieved. The victim’s husband was not in the truck at the time and did not suffer any injuries. Coroner Willis stated that he would not disclose the woman’s cause of death at this time, noting that an autopsy is scheduled for Monday through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

“We extend our deepest condolences to their family and friends during this difficult time. At this moment, we are still gathering information, but ensuring the safety of our team members is our top priority, and we are conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire,” Tyson said in a statement.

Bryce Rawson, spokesperson for the Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office, confirmed the fatalities and injuries but stated he could not provide any further details as the investigation is still in progress.

The facility located in Camilla, a town with a population of approximately 5,000, is the largest employer in Mitchell County. Tyson acquired the plant in 2018 during its $2.16 billion acquisition of Keystone Foods. According to the union, the plant mainly manufactures chicken nuggets and chicken fillets for restaurants.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our local economy and Tyson plays a significant role in that,” stated Camilla Mayor Kelvin Owens.

Owens emphasized that Tyson’s impact extends beyond mere employment in the city.

“They are not only crucial for our economy, but they also hold a special place in the community,” Owens expressed. “We view them as family and intend to provide all the support we can during this challenging time.”

By Jeff Amy and Dee-Ann Durbin