WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — KSN News has learned what sparked a large fire at the Cargill plant just north of downtown Wichita on Monday night.
It happened just after 9 p.m. near 13th and Mosley streets.
Wichita Fire Department Battalion Chief Jose Ocadiz said firefighters determined that a 100-foot soybean dryer was on fire inside. The fire was upgraded to a second alarm due to smoke and heat coming from the building.
A large fireball ignited due to the changing smoke conditions, according to WFD.
Fire burns at three-story Junction City apartment building
At one point, firefighters were told that a worker may have been trapped in the mechanical room. The department said crews quickly made sure no one was in the area, then quickly got out because of the risk of more explosions. It turned out the worker was outside the whole time and was just missed during a head count, officials said.
Aerial trucks were used to fight the fire, Ocadiz said.
Fire at the Cargill plant near 14th and Mosley streets on March 9, 2026. (KSN Photo)
The Cargill plant near 14th and Mosley streets on March 10, 2026, the day after it caught fire. (KSN Photo)
The Cargill plant near 14th and Mosley streets on March 10, 2026, the day after it caught fire. (KSN Photo)
Fire at the Cargill plant near 14th and Mosley streets on March 9, 2026. (KSN Photo)
Fire at the Cargill plant near 14th and Mosley streets on March 9, 2026. (KSN Photo)
Fire at the Cargill plant near 14th and Mosley streets on March 9, 2026. (KSN Photo)
Fire at the Cargill plant near 14th and Mosley streets on March 9, 2026. (KSN Photo)
Fire at the Cargill plant near 14th and Mosley streets on March 9, 2026. (KSN Photo)
Fire at the Cargill plant near 14th and Mosley streets on March 9, 2026. (KSN Photo)
Fire at the Cargill plant near 14th and Mosley streets on March 9, 2026. (KSN Photo)
Fire at the Cargill plant near 14th and Mosley streets as seen on the KSN Skyview Network on March 9, 2026. (KSN Photo)
Fire at the Cargill plant near 14th and Mosley streets as seen on the KSN Skyview Network on March 9, 2026. (KSN Photo)
The fire department remained on the scene throughout the night and returned Tuesday afternoon due to a smoldering fire at the plant. Mosley Street was shut down, but it has since reopened, and firefighters have left the scene.
Ocadiz said that all Cargill employees were accounted for and that no injuries to employees or firefighters occurred.
