Ziegenfelder Co. Thanks Wheeling Firefighters for Saving Its Plant in 2019

The Ziegenfelder Company. thanked the Wheeling Fire Department recently with a pizza lunch for saving their frozen treat facility in 2019.

The anniversary of the blaze was Jan. 31, 2019. The pizza treat was accompanied by a letter to the fire department from Ziegenfelder CEO Kevin Heller.

"The Ziegenfelder Company experienced the worst day in our company's history on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. Just after 10 a.m. alarms sounded, employees evacuated and flames grew bigger and bigger on the roof of our production plant," Heller wrote.

"As members of our Zieggy Tribe stood in shock watching the smoke rise to the sky, heroes from the community emerged and ensured we would recover from this tragedy. You and so many others came to aid us that day and in the days after the fire. We are forever grateful for your service to our community."

Heller noted the "Zieggy Tribe" continues to be successful because of the firefighters' hard work.

"On behalf of our tribe, thank you!" he signed.

The three-alarm fire lasted for several hours before firefighters could get it under control and eventually extinguish it. They worked under frigid conditions. They received mutual aid from Cumberland Trail Fire District and Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department.

No one was injured in the blaze. Wheeling fire investigators determined the cause was a heating device used to thaw metal piping.

On its social media page, the fire department expressed thanks for the treat company recognizing the firefighters and giving them pizza.

"The Wheeling Fire Department is proud to serve," the department's Facebook page notes.

Ziegenfelder Co. is known for its Budget Saver Twin Pops that can be purchased at grocery stores across the country.