Date: September 9, 2019
Location: Hamm, North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany)
Address: Speicherstraße 10-15, 59067
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Grain Dust
Industry: Grain Processing (Agriculture)
Equipment: Filter System
Company: Jäckering Mühlen- und Nährmittelwerke GmbH
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: 100,000 euros
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, the Jäckering Group is an international company with core competencies in mechanical engineering, thermoplastics, and the processing of wheat gluten and wheat starch. It has three locations in Hamm, Germany, and additional sites in Cologne and Kassel. The address where the explosion occurred is where wheat is delivered and starch and flour collected.
Incident Description:
On September 9, 2019, WA.de reported a dust explosion at a grain processing facility in Hamm, Germany.
When firefighters responded shortly after receiving an emergency call at 9:20 p.m., they could detect smoke even before they reached the location. On site, fire could be seen issuing from a filtering system measuring nearly 15 meters high (and with ground components spread out over a 30-meter radius).
All employees were assembled and examined for injuries. Then emergency services personnel applied respiratory protection before accessing the filter system via the external staircase and applying water through various inspection openings.
Two turntable ladders were positioned to enable access to the fire and offer an escape route if necessary. Power was cut to the affected area as an additional safety measure. By midnight, the situation was under control and the firefighters were able to turn the premises over to the company management.
No one was injured. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. Damage was estimated at 100,000 euros.
Previous Incidents:
According to WA.de, there had been an incident in a gluten dryer at the same location on July 7, 2019. It caused over a million euros in damage.
On March 29, 2013, WA.de reported an explosion in the filter system of the Jäckering location on the Speicherstraße. The force of the explosion shattered windows, blew two fire doors from their hinges, and caused a fire that spread to an industrial hall.
Firefighters cooled the adjacent silos with water to prevent the flames from spreading. Two hours later, the fire was under control although some glowing embers under the roof had to be extinguished afterwards. No one was injured and damage was estimated at around 20,000 euros.
Sources:
WA.de (September 12, 2019)
WA.de (September 9, 2019)
WA.de (March 29, 2013)
