Date: June 1, 2020
Location: Nappanee, Indiana (USA)
Address: 493 Shawnee Street, 46550
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Wood Dust
Industry: Woodworking (Wood and Wood Products)
Equipment: Staining Machine
Company: Quality Hardwood Sales Inc.
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: Two Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
Quality Hardwood Sales Inc. does not appear to have a website, but its Manta entry states that it is a wood component manufacturer specializing in hardwood parts for cabinet manufacturers and high-end furniture components. The company was founded in 2000, is located in Nappanee, Indiana, and employs over 100 people.
Incident Description:
On June 1, 2020, the Goshen News reported an explosion and flash fire at a woodworking shop in Napanee, Indiana.
Employees were doing maintenance work on a staining machine at around 6:30 a.m. when a spark allegedly ignited varnish vapors and sawdust, causing the explosion and flash fire.
When firefighters responded, they found heavy smoke in the building but managed to extinguish the fire quickly. It took around an hour to ventilate smoke from the premises and assess the damage. The staining machine and parts of the building and dust collector system were damaged.
The Nappanee Fire Chief said that two employees were taken to the hospital for medical treatment, but he didn’t know the extent of their injuries.
Sources:
Goshen News
