Date: August 15, 2023
Location: Highland, Ohio (USA)
Address: 30361 Ayersville-Pleasant Bend Road, 43512
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Grain Dust
Industry: Grain Processing (Agriculture)
Equipment: Grain Bin
Company: Randall Brothers
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to its website, Randall Brothers is a farming equipment seller and grain processor in Highland, Ohio, outside of Defiance.
Incident Description:
On August 15, 2023, The Crescent-News reported a grain bin fire at a farming equipment seller and grain processor in Highland, Ohio.
Highland Township firefighters rushed to the scene at around 9:30 a.m. The Defiance Fire Department immediately supported them, with additional units joining later. The South Richland Fire Department provided a tanker and additional personnel at 10:17 a.m., and Jewell Fire and Rescue aided with EMS support at 10:42 a.m. New Bavaria Fire Department also arrived at the location, and the Defiance County Sheriff’s Office was present.
The Highland Township Fire Chief reported that the wheat inside a sizable grain bin had been smouldering all morning. This required firefighters to cut into the bin’s bottom to remove the wheat and address the issue. They were able to start actively fighting the fire around 6:45 p.m., and it took approximately an hour to get the situation under control after applying water. About 12,000 gallons of water on the smouldering grain.
While the exact cause of the fire is unknown, firefighters speculated that a fan at the grain bin’s bottom, used for drying, might have malfunctioned and ignited. Due to the risk of explosions associated with grain bin fires, they refrained from accessing the grain from the top, thereby preventing potential explosive dust from spreading.
The grain bin suffered moderate damage, with visible heat scars near its base. The Defiance Fire Department highlighted the presence of charred grain starting from the bottom and extending upwards about three feet.
There were no reported injuries.
Sources:
The Crescent-News
