Hamlet Processing Plant Fire

Date: September 3, 1991 • Location: Hamlet, United States

A fire killed 25 people locked inside a burning chicken processing plant in Hamlet, North Carolina, U.S.

On September 3, 1991, an industrial fire caused by a failed improvised repair to a hydraulic line destroyed the Imperial Food Products chicken processing plant in Hamlet, North Carolina, United States. Despite three previous fires in 11 years of operation, the plant had never received a safety inspection. The fire killed 25 people and injured 54, many of whom were unable to escape due to locked exits. It was the second deadliest industrial disaster in North Carolina's history.