Date: September 24, 2022
Location: Wheatland, Ohio (USA)
Address: 1 Council Avenue, 16161
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Zinc Dust
Industry: Pipe and Tube Making (Metal Working)
Equipment: Dust Collector
Company: Wheatland Tube
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to its website, Wheatland Tube is a pipe and tube manufacturing company headquartered in Wheatland, Ohio. It was founded in 1931 and is now a division of Zekelman Industries, the largest independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America. Wheatland’s product line includes electrical conduits, standard pipes, fire sprinkler pipes, mechanical tubes, fence framework, and energy tubulars.
Incident Description:
On September 26, 2022, The Herald reported a fire at a pipe and tube manufacturing company in Wheatland, Ohio.
The Wheatland Fire Chief said first responders were alerted at about 5:00 a.m. to a fire at the tube plant. It started in an area where zinc dust accumulates when it is used to coat pipes. The fire broke out as employees cleaned machinery designed to collect zinc dust.
In addition to the Wheatland Volunteer Fire Department, fire departments from Farrell, Hermitage, Patagonia, and Shenango Township responded.
By the time firefighters arrived, the fire had been mostly extinguished because the company already had safety measures in place, including dry-chemical extinguishers. Some hot spots in the fire were extinguished with dry-chemical extinguishers rather than water since zinc dust was involved. The firefighters also checked for hot spots on a conveyor belt and the roof trusses where dust might accumulate.
Fire crews cleared the scene around 9:00 a.m. No injuries were reported.
Sources:
The Herald
