Date: October 20, 2019
Location: Decatur, Illinois (USA)
Address: 4666 East Faries Parkway, 62526
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Grain Dust
Industry: Grain Processing (Agriculture)
Equipment: Metal Tank
Company: Archer Daniels Midland
Database Incidents: This facility was referenced in dust explosion incidents in November 2018 and January 2019 and a dust fire in May 2019.
Loss: No Injures
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, ADM is a leading agricultural processor and food ingredient provider, with an estimated 31,000 employees serving customers in over 170 countries. It was founded in 1902 in Minneapolis as Daniels Linseed Co. and became Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) in 1923. Today, its holdings include 500 crop procurement locations, 270 food and feed ingredient manufacturing facilities, and 44 innovation centers.
Incident Description:
On October 21, 2019, Powder & Bulk Solids reported a fire that ignited in a metal tank that was being dismantled at a corn processing plant in Decatur, Illinois.
According to the Decatur Fire Battalion Chief, fire crews responded after the incident was reported at about 6:44 a.m. and spent several hours putting out the flames. Employees had tried to douse the fire themselves before emergency personnel arrived.
The metal tank is believed to have contained corn waste at the time. The Decatur Fire Battalion Chief said that the fire was likely smouldering in the tank for several days.
A facility spokesperson said that no injuries or property damage occurred.
OSHA Inspections:
An establishment search turned up seven OSHA inspections for this ADM location, two of which were flagged for combustible dust.
Previous Incidents:
This facility experienced a dust explosion on November 3, 2018, covered in Firefighters Called to Dust Explosion at Decatur Food Processing Plant. On January 4, 2019, another dust explosion occurred, this one covered in No Injuries Reported in Dust Explosion at Illinois Grain Processor. On May 9, 2019, the facility experienced a dust fire, covered in Hot Work on Drying Equipment Causes Fire at Corn Processing Facility.
Sources:
Powder & Bulk Solids
