Date: October 13, 2022
Location: Vancouver, Washington (USA)
Address: 1905 N.W. Harborside Drive, 98660
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Grain Dust
Industry: Grain Storage (Agriculture)
Equipment: Conveyor System
Company: United Grain Corp.
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to its website, United Grain Corp. is a bulk grain export company located in Vancouver, Washington USA. Formed in 1969, its Vancouver Export Terminal boasts the largest storage capacity on the U.S. West Coast at 220,000 metric tons (8 million bushels) with an annual handling capacity of 5 million tons.
Incident Description:
On October 13, 2022, The Columbian reported a two-alarm fire in a grain elevator at the Port of Vancouver, Washington.
The fire was reported at 5:23 a.m. by a longshore barge operator who saw smoke on a conveyor. When crews arrived, they discovered a fire in a conveyor between a grain silo on shore and a barge. After the second alarm was sounded, fire attack plans were developed with facility staff.
A total of 17 units were assigned to the fire, including fire boats from Vancouver and Portland Fire and Vancouver Fire’s Hazardous Materials team. Due to the complexity of the fire, it took more than 90 minutes to put out. Vancouver Fire units were on the scene for over six hours to ensure the fire was contained.
According to the fire department, all employees at the grain elevator were accounted for. No injuries were reported. The Vancouver Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.
Sources:
The Columbian
