Saturday Fire At Monterey Perdue Plant Causes Damage

Fire crews have cleared the Monterey Perdue Plant Saturday night as of 8:30pm Saturday night after multiple hours fighting what is believed to be a roof fire.

No word on the amount of damage at the plant.

“There was a fire a at our Monterey cooking plant and we are currently working with the local authorities to determine the cause,” A Perdue Statement said. “Nobody was injured.”

Emergency crews began releasing fire teams around 7:30pm Saturday night after a Saturday afternoon fire. Fire departments from Monterey, Cookeville, and Putnam County responded to the fire Saturday. Emergency officials reported it as a roof fire that is “very active” as of 5:25pm Saturday. An emergency official said everyone had gotten out of the building safely.

The call went out at approximately 4:15pm Saturday afternoon. Emergency officials confirmed the fire call of a “structure fire.” At least 22 units have responded. Crews from Livingston also appear to be responding.

Emergency officials asked citizens avoid the area because of hazardous materials at the plant. EMS crews from multiple local teams are on the scene including Cookeville and Crossville.

Both Industrial Drive and Old Walton Road are closed, a long distance from the plant area, according to sources. No smoke is visible from the areas closed to traffic.

As of 2019, the plant employed some 750 people. The plant shifted to more direct retail production this year.

The plant opened in 1984 as a plant for Fast Food Merchandisers. Perdue purchased the plant in 1998.