Date: October 5, 2020
Location: Ravensbourne, Dunedin (New Zealand)
Address: 102 Ravensbourne Road, 9022
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Sulphur Dust
Industry: Fertilizer Production
Equipment: Hopper
Company: Ravensdown
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: 5 Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to its website, Ravensdown is a farmer-owned cooperative headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand. Its extensive product line includes fertilizer, agrochemicals, animal health products, lime, and seeds.
Incident Description:
On October 5, 2020, the Otago Daily Times reported a flash fire at a fertilizer company in Ravensbourne, New Zealand.
An incident described as a “sulphur flash” occurred while a piece of old equipment was being removed. There was no actual fire, but a small dust cloud appeared and sulphur dioxide was elevated in the affected building.
Fire crews from Roslyn and Willowbank arrived at 10:00 a.m. They did not find a fire, but two contractors and three company staff were taken to a nearby hospital for sulphur dioxide inhalation. Four were soon discharged while one remained for observation before being discharged.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
Sources:
Otago Daily Times
