Danielle reports that a Cargill meat packing plant in Arkansas is, well, gone. A fire that started in a freezer section led to a series of explosions that ultimately destroyed the $100 million dollar facility, and no, no foul play is suspected - it appears to be related to some welding work that was going on in the area where the fire started. It's not known if the plant will re-open or not.

The fire forced the evacuation of 180 people from their homes after 88,000 pounds of ammonia gas leaked out into the atmosphere during the blaze. Due to the gas risk, firefighters opted to let the facility burn down. Nobody was injured.

I do't know which number to pay more attention to: that the plant employed more than 20 percent of the town's population (who are likely in some trouble, even if Cargill chooses to rebuild), or that the plant produced more than two million pounds of ground beef and steak every week. So here's the weird Monday question: do we lament the potential destruction of the town's economy, even if it was based on the slaughter of animals?