Date: January 17, 2019
Location: Burlington, Iowa (USA)
Address: 3000 E Mt Pleasant Street, 52601
Type: Potential Dust Fire
Fuel: Food
Industry: Snack Production (Food Processing)
Equipment: Conveyor Belt
Company: Shearer’s Foods
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, Shearer’s Foods, also known as Shearer’s Snacks, is a manufacturer and supplier of conventional, organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher snacks, cookies, and crackers. It was founded in 1979 and has an estimated 3,400 employees.
Incident Description:
On January 18, 2019, Powder & Bulk Solids reported a fire at a snack manufacturing plant in Burlington, Iowa.
Firefighters from the Burlington Fire Department arrived at the site at around 11:40 p.m. They immediately noticed smoke issuing from the building. Plant employees led them to a large commercial oven containing burning dough.
According to plant officials, the conveyor system involved in the fire is used to carry dough through the oven equipment. KHQA reported that firefighters and plant employees worked together to remove and extinguish the burning dough.
A sprinkler system was activated by the heat generated by the fire. Employees working in the plant at the time of the incident evacuated the premises safely.
No injuries or damage to the plant structure were reported.
OSHA Inspections
Sources:
Powder & Bulk Solids
KHQA
