A fire at the Astafjord processing facility has halted production, leaving around 400 tonnes of salmon awaiting slaughter, according to a report by NRK.
The blaze broke out during the night on Friday in a technical room at the Gratangen facility. An employee discovered the fire and raised the alarm.
Managing director Alexander Johnsen said the fire originated in a vacuum compressor used during gutting operations.
“There was a fire in a vacuum compressor. It is used to remove the guts from the salmon when we process them, and without it we cannot slaughter salmon,” Johnsen told NRK.
The plant operates on a three-shift system, with two shifts processing fish and one shift dedicated to cleaning. The fire occurred while cleaning was underway.
Production remains fully suspended while repairs are carried out. Replacement parts are being sourced from Norway and Finland, while neighbouring slaughterhouses have offered assistance.
“It is invaluable and touching the help we are offered from colleagues in the industry,” Johnsen said.
In addition to replacing the damaged compressor, electrical systems in the affected area must be replaced and several rooms cleaned to remove soot contamination. Specialist contractors have been brought in to handle the technical cleaning work.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. According to Johnsen, the compressor that caught fire had recently undergone refurbishment.
The plant had planned to slaughter 100 tonnes of salmon on Friday, with a further 300 tonnes scheduled for processing during the week.
“If we can start again on Wednesday, we will be able to slaughter and deliver to customers,” Johnsen told NRK.
No employees have been laid off so far. Johnsen said significant values of fish remain in holding pens while customers await confirmation of deliveries.
