Date: November 1, 2018
Location: Kearney, Nebraska (USA)
Address: 4400 E. Highway 30, 68847
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Unknown
Industry: Auto Parts Manufacturer
Equipment: Dust Collector
Company: Baldwin Filters
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: $25,000
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, Baldwin Filters is a worldwide manufacturer of air, lube, fuel, coolant, transmission, and hydraulic filtration products. It was founded in Wisconsin in 1936 and moved to Kearney, Nebraska in 1953. In 1999, an automated distribution center was added to the 110,000 square foot Kearney plant, and in 2016, the company built a new distribution center to handle increasing demand for Baldwin Filters.
Incident Description:
On November 1, 2018, the Kearney Hub reported a fire at an automobile parts manufacturer in Kearney, Nebraska.
When members of the Volunteer Fire Department arrived at the building, they found heavy smoke issuing from a dust collector for a plasma cutter on the south side of the plant. There was no fire in the plant itself and the damage, which firefighters estimated at $25,000, was contained to the dust collector.
No injuries were reported.
Previous Incidents:
On May 22, 2017, KSNB News reported an early-morning fire at Baldwin Filters. Upon arrival, fire crews saw smoke coming from the roof of the building. When they accessed the roof, they found fire in a small structure. According to a press release, firefighters extinguished the flames and kept the fire contained to the inside of the structure. No official cause was released to the press.
OSHA Inspections:
An establishment search turned up one OSHA inspections for Baldwin Filters, but it was not reported to involve combustible dust.
Sources:
Kearney Hub
KSNB News
