A large factory fire in Oconee County caused the Benson’s Bakery building to collapse, and it is likely a “total loss” for the company and its 400-plus employees, authorities said.

Benson's Bakery in Oconee County caught fire Monday afternoon after a spark caught insulation on fire during maintenance work, authorities said. (Photo: Oconee County Emergency Management)
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Oconee County Emergency Management Director C.J. Worden said in a Facebook video that a spark lit the insulation of Benson's Bakery in Bogart on fire during maintenance work Monday afternoon.

The fire spread rapidly, and the Oconee County Fire Rescue , Clarke County Fire Rescue and Barrow County Fire Department assisted in putting out the fire, Worden said. There were no injuries as a result of the incident.

In a Facebook Post, Oconee County EMA said "Our hearts go out to the Benson's family as they endure this loss and as they pick up the pieces and recover. This is a major loss also to Oconee County."

The fire was extinguished by 6 p.m., but crews remained later to make sure there weren’t any remaining hot spots, Worden said.

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