Officials investigate cause of Longview grain terminal fire

LONGVIEW, Wash. – Officials are still investigating after a Sunday night fire shut down the Export Grain Terminal at the Port of Longview.

The Daily News reports fire crews responded to the blaze Sunday night. They arrived to find black smoke billowing from a tower.

Longview Fire Chief Phil Jurmu said the fire started inside the drive tower, which powers one of the main conveyor belt systems. The smoke rose up through that tower and spread along the conveyor belt to another tower where grain is weighed.

One firefighter slipped on some stairs and strained his back. No other injuries were reported.

Officials say the fire caused a conveyor belt to split and it wasn’t clear when regular terminal operations can resume.