Overfilled Holding Tank Causes Industrial Fire at Prineville Processing Facility

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – An industrial fire at Central Oregon Processing on North Main Street in Prineville was caused by an overfilled holding tank, according to an investigation by Crook County Fire & Rescue.

Fire crews were dispatched to the facility at approximately 8:54 a.m. Monday, November 2, 2026, following reports of a flammable liquid spill at the Isolation Building and a subsequent fire.

Upon arrival, firefighters found flames burning among exterior mechanical equipment, with the fire also spreading inside the building. The facility’s fire suppression system had activated and helped prevent the fire from spreading further before crews arrived to extinguish the remaining flames.

Firefighters remained at the scene for approximately three hours, working to extinguish the fire and carefully ventilate the building. Crews took precautions to ensure flammable gas vapors remaining inside the structure did not reignite during ventilation.

The subsequent investigation determined that the fire began when a holding tank inside the building was overfilled. The excess flammable liquid entered vent piping that extended above the building’s roof. The liquid then flowed off the roof and came into contact with an exterior electrical outlet, igniting gas vapors.

Crook County Fire & Rescue responded with two fire engines, an ambulance and three command vehicles, deploying a total of 12 firefighters.

The Prineville Police Department and Pacific Power assisted at the scene. Redmond Fire & Rescue also provided a mutual-aid ambulance to maintain emergency coverage within the district while local crews handled the incident.