Date: March 30, 2018
Location: Gilberton, PA (USA)
Address: 10 Gilberton Road, 17934
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Coal Dust
Industry: Coal Processing (Energy)
Equipment: Conveyor Belt Motor
Company: Gilberton Coal Company
Previous Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the Reading Anthracite company website, the Gilberton Coal Company, located in Gilberton, PA was founded in 1940 and began its existence as one of the most successful coal ventures in U.S. history. Today it is maintained as the home office for many of the Rich Family of Companies.
Description of Coal Dust Fire:
On March 31, 2018, the Republican Herald reported a dust fire at a coal processing company in Gilberton, Pennsylvania. Firefighters at the scene believed that a malfunctioning conveyor belt motor sparked the blaze.
When fire crews reached the scene around 5:30 p.m. on March 30, they found plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. They initially tried to pour water on the fire at the top of the silo but the the 100-foot ladders could only reach about halfway up. Coal company personnel finally used a front-end loader to open the conveyor assembly and take out part of the belt, allowing firefighters access to the fire.
At one point the area around the conveyor assembly was evacuated in case it collapsed from the fire and high heat. By the time the blaze was brought under control, the conveyor belt system and silo were badly damaged.
Skook News and Stephen Barrett took a video of the burning conveyor belt and silo.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No injuries were reported
Sources:
Republican Herald
Skook News
Stephen Barrett
