Firefighter injured in 2-alarm fire at Tulare County cricket farm

An early-morning fire caused extensive damage to Bassett’s Cricket Ranch in Tulare County on Friday morning, and a firefighter was injured trying to control the blaze, authorities reported.

Fire broke out about 12:30 a.m. at the business, which produces crickets and mealworms, in the 300 block of South Mariposa Avenue. Tulare County Fire spokeswoman Joanne Bear said trucks arrived to find large flames and three buildings on fire. A second alarm was sounded and more firefighters were brought in.

The injured firefighter was treated for overexertion.

Firefighters are assessing the total amount of damage and investigators are searching for the cause.

On the website for the business, it was reported that most of the crickets and mealworms were lost in the blaze. The business has another facility, but “it will take some time to get back to full production,” a spokesman said.

“We have had catastrophes in the past and we have recovered. We will be up and going very soon,” he added.

This story was originally published November 2, 2018 at 8:41 AM.