Benson’s Bakery likely ‘total loss’ after fire in Oconee County, authorities say

Firefighters from Oconee County Fire Rescue, Clarke County Fire Rescue and Barrow County Fire Department helped battle the blaze at Benson's Bakery Monday.

Credit: Oconee County Emergency Management

Credit: Oconee County Emergency Management

Firefighters from Oconee County Fire Rescue, Clarke County Fire Rescue and Barrow County Fire Department helped battle the blaze at Benson's Bakery Monday.

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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