Fire that destroyed meat factory was probably an accident

The fire that destroyed a long-established business in Whitehall last weekend was an accident.

Washington County Fire Coordinator Glenn Bristol confirmed to NewsChannel 13 that the fire at Champlain Beef was caused by a power pole being knocked over by a vehicle and live wires falling onto the meat processing plant.

Bristol said the building was destroyed.

Champlain Beef is asking that all expressions of support for its 77-year-old company be directed in the form of donations to the firefighters who responded to the fire Saturday morning.