Wind shift fans Cudahy blaze

CUDAHY (AP) - Shifting winds Monday fanned the fire still blazing in a meatpacking plant south of Milwaukee some 18 hours after it broke out. Authorities told thousands of residents within a mile of the plant to leave because of the smoke and threat of toxic fumes.

About 100 firefighters were battling the blaze at the Patrick Cudahy Inc. plant in Cudahy.

The fire started Sunday night.

Smoke pouring from the plant turned blacker and thicker about midafternoon Monday as 10-20 mph winds from the northwest pushed in.

No injuries were reported. A company spokesman said less than half the sprawling plant was affected, and operations could resume in unaffected areas by the end of the week. Dan Habighorst, vice president of human resources, said the office area could be running by Tuesday.