Date: January 7, 2019
Location: Herbrechtingen, Baden-Württemberg (Germany)
Address: Oskar-von-Miller-Weg 1, 89542
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Wood Dust
Industry: Pellet Production (Wood Products)
Equipment: Conveyor Belt
Company: JRS ( J. RETTENMAIER & Söhne Group)
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, JRS processes organic fibres from raw vegetable materials such as cellulose, cereal and fruit fibres or wood fibres. It was founded in 1878 and evolved over the years into a leading provider of dietary fibres, wood pellets, and similar materials. The company currently has over 60 production sites and sales offices across the globe.
Incident Description:
On January 7, 2019, the Heidenheimer Zeitung reported a dust explosion at a wood pellet production plant in Herbrechtingen, Germany.
The incident, which took place at around 9:00 a.m., was followed by a fire on the conveyor belt system that transported material from a silo into the processing area.
Although it created a lot of smoke, the fire was soon brought under control by the building sprinkler system and firefighters from Herbrechtingen and Giengen, who used an aerial ladder. The fire crews remained on site until after 1:30 p.m. to oversee the clearing of wood pellets from the silo and extinguish any remaining embers.
No one was injured. The cause of the explosion and fire are under investigation.
Sources:
Heidenheimer Zeitung
