Cudahy survives devastating fire

On July 5, a devastating fire broke out at Patrick Cudahy Inc. meat processing plant. The fire caused an estimated $50 million in damages. While portions of the plant saw major damage, much of the complex remains intact, including those structures most vital to production. The smokehouse, dating back over 100 years, and the onsite power plant were spared from damage in the fire. Loss of either of these would have been catastrophic for the company and the community. Most importantly, no lives were lost in the fire, and no one was injured battling the blaze.

Over 1,400 workers are employed at the Patrick Cudahy plant. They come from all over our area; they spend money at our restaurants, bars, gas stations, and drugstores. In short, regardless of where these workers live, they are our neighbors. I want to take this opportunity to thank the residents of the Seventh Senate District who helped our neighbors during this tragedy. Units from 27 area fire departments stepped in to assist the city of Cudahy. Relief organizations including the Red Cross and the Salvation Army were organized at evacuation sites and provided services throughout the emergency. Numerous local businesses donated resources to assist evacuees, and emergency personnel and many citizens volunteered assistance.

I also want to commend Smithfield Foods, Patrick Cudahy’s parent company, who within days of the fire, renewed their commitment to our community by announcing that they planned to rebuild and resume normal operations at the plant. Less than a week after the fire, hundreds of workers returned to work.

I pledge to work with Governor Doyle, Department of Commerce Secretary Richard Leinenkugel, and my colleagues to offer any available assistance to Smithfield Foods and its hard-working employees.

The response to this disaster is another reminder of the great community that we live in. I am proud to represent you and our community in the state Senate.

Jeff Plale is the state senator for Wisconsin’s Seventh Senate District, which spans from Milwaukee’s East Side to Oak Creek, including downtown, the Third Ward, Bay View, St. Francis, Cudahy, and South Milwaukee. He can be reached locally at (414) 744-1444 or in Madison at (800) 361-5487 or sen.plale@legis.wisconsin.gov.

Copyright 2010 by Bay View Compass. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.