Date: August 25, 2022
Location: Bluffs, Illinois (USA)
Address: 1441 IL-100, 62621
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Metal Dust
Industry: Refrigeration Systems Manufacturing (Metal Working)
Equipment: Dust Collector
Company: Westermeyer Industries, Inc.
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to its website, Westermeyer Industries, Inc. is a refrigerant systems components manufacturer in Bluffs, Illinois. It was started in late 2001 and grew into a multi-unit facility spanning more than 100,000 square feet. Products include components for oil management, heat exchange, liquid management, and natural and industrial refrigerant.
Incident Description:
On August 26, 2022, WLDS reported a fire at a refrigerant systems components manufacturer in Bluffs, Illinois.
Multiple fire departments responded to the call just after 2:00 p.m. on August 25. They fought the fire into the night. At one point, heavy construction equipment was brought in to push in portions of the building to separate it from a west side addition, preventing the addition from being destroyed as well. Crews worked into the night to contain the fire to the main part of the building.
A dust collector near an employee’s workstation at the far north end of the facility started the fire. After the fire alarm sounded, the employee said it seemed as if the first section of the building was engulfed in flames within minutes.
The Director of the Morgan County Office of Emergency Management confirmed that the fire did start in the north end of the facility. However, an origin point could not be determined and the cause is being investigated by the Office of the Illinois Fire Marshal.
No injuries were reported.
Sources:
WLDS
