Date: August 10, 2019
Location: Holyhead, Wales (UK)
Address: Penrhos Works LL65 2UX
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Aluminum Dust
Industry: Aluminum Powder Production (Metal Working)
Equipment: Hopper
Company: AMG Alpoco UK, Ltd.
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: Two Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, AMG Alpoco UK, Ltd. is a producer of air and gas atomized aluminum powders, aluminum alloy powders and aluminum granules. It commenced operations in 1940 in Birmingham, UK, and built its powder atomizing facility at Holyhead, North Wales, in 1970. Today, the head office is located in Rotherham, UK and the company maintains two manufacturing plants in England and Wales and a U.S. agent in Ohio.
Incident Description:
On August 11, 2019, the BBC News reported an explosion at an aluminum powder plant in Holyhead, UK, on August 10.
Locals reported hearing a loud bang coming from the plant and seeing a plume of white smoke.
Four crews from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service arrived shortly after the explosion occurred at 6:00 p.m. Upon investigation, they determined that the fire was confined to a hopper and would smoulder “for some time”, so it was placed under surveillance.
All workers were accounted for. Two men suffered minor injuries but made their own way to the hospital.
No information was available about property damage.
Previous Incidents:
On June 8, 2015, the BBC News reported an explosion at the AMG Alpoco UK, Ltd. in Holyhead, UK. The company closed temporarily after the 3:30 a.m. explosion, but soon reopened. No injuries were reported.
