HAMLET, N.C. — The city of Hamlet will hold a public memorial service commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Imperial Foods fire, one of the deadliest industrial disasters in North Carolina history.
The service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, September 3, at the corner of Bridges and Spears streets in Hamlet.
The fire broke out at the Imperial Foods chicken-processing plant on September 3, 1991. Twenty-five workers were killed and dozens of others were injured.
Investigators later found that workers attempting to escape encountered exits that were locked or otherwise inaccessible. The tragedy drew national attention to workplace conditions and led to significant changes in North Carolina’s occupational-safety enforcement system.
The former plant site now serves as a place of remembrance for the victims, survivors, first responders and families affected by the disaster.
The upcoming ceremony will give the Richmond County community another opportunity to remember those who died and recognize the lasting impact the fire had on Hamlet and workplace-safety policies across the state.
The memorial service is open to the public.
Sources: This story is based on reporting by the Richmond Observer, with historical information from WBTV.
