Date: April 24, 2018
Location: Roger, Texas (USA)
Address: 1215 Reeds lake Road, 76569
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Wood Dust
Industry: Finishing Company (Wood Products)
Equipment: Dust Collector
Company: Widner Product Finishing Co.
Previous Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: $1 Million
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, Widner Product Finishing Co. specializes in wooden cabinets, wall panels, mouldings, doors, beams, and millwork. The company began operations in 1998 and has expanded to a 54,000-foot facility in Rogers, Texas today. Automation within the facility includes a flatline for finishing panels and a moulding finishing line.
Description of Wood Dust Collector Explosion:
On April 24, 2018, the TDT News reported a structural fire in Rogers, Texas. The Bell County fire marshal stated that the fire started in a wood dust collector at the facility, spreading into the wall cavity and igniting further dust, dust residue, and insulation. The fire then spread to the roof and to other wood products in the facility.
Firefighters battled the fire for 17 hours before getting it under control. The news agency CenTxProud.com reported that 400-500 sheets of plywood caught fire and the fire crew was letting them burn over the next few days due to safety concerns with moving them. The fire destroyed 20,000 square feet of the 54,000 square foot facility and caused over $1 million in damages.
A news video by KCenTV reported that witnesses living in the area heard a loud boom before seeing the fire at the facility. Fifteen people were reported to work at the facility but no one was injured during the incident. No information is available on the cause of the explosion or resulting fire.
Sources:
TDT News
CenTxProud.com
KCenTV
