Flash Freezer Fire At Kemps

Rochester Fire fighters were well aware they could be working in arctic conditions this weekend, but not indoors.  That's what they were faced with at the Kemps Dairy on North Broadway in Rochester Saturday night.

According the Fire department report, the fire began around 6:30 in the ice cream production area's "flash-freezer" where the temperature is set at 40-below-zero. Firefighters had to be relieved often because of water freezing on their masks and clothing.

The fire spread via conveyor belt to another area of the large plant before it was finally contained.  Apparently it all began when a contractor accidentally started some pallets and cardboard on fire while welding under a catwalk.  22 firefighters were on the scene limiting damage to four conveyors and smoke damage to interior walls and product.

Damage estimates may range into the hundreds of thousands of dollars when the shut down of the production line and plant as well as all the lost ice cream is added in.