A piece of machinery used to crush corn cobs may have caused a Friday morning fire at Beck’s Hybrids headquarters, located in the northern Hamilton County community of Atlanta.  The Jackson Township Fire Department says crews found heavy smoke and fire upon arrival to the scent and requested a 2nd Alarm.

The fire was located in a building that is used to process corn cobs from waste products to a bedding product used for animals.  Although the blaze is still under investigation, preliminary indications are that the machine used to crush the cobs or a conveyor belt may have caused the fire that spread to a sophisticated dust collection system located inside the building.

No injuries were reported.

Hamilton County Emergency Management provided a drone utilized throughout the fire which allowed the Incident Commanders information to  monitor heat conditions and target hot spots.

Several fire departments from three counties assisted in fight this fire.