Date: December 13, 2019
Location: Emporia, Kansas (USA)
Address: 1525 Industrial Road, 66801
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Flour Dust
Industry: Snack Production (Food Processing)
Equipment: Vents
Company: Hostess Brands Inc.
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company’s website, Hostess Brands Inc. is a bakery company that produces snack cakes under the Hostess and Dolly Madison brand names. It was established in June 2013, is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and employs over 2,000 people.
Incident Description:
On December 16, 2019, Powder & Bulk Solids reported a fire at a snack production facility in Emporia, Kansas.
Firefighters found a contained fire in a vent running from one of the machines to the roof. The incident started in an area of the facility used for donut production and is believed to be due to a cooking accident.
According to the Emporia Fire Battalion Chief, they extinguished the fire with foam. Some of the vents in the plant were damaged but no injuries were reported.
OSHA Inspections:
An establishment search turned up one OSHA inspection for Hostess Brands Inc. but it was not flagged for combustible dust.
Sources:
Powder & Bulk Solids
Emporia Gazette
