Date: December 13, 2018
Location: Lowville, New York (USA)
Address: 7412 Utica Boulevard, 13367
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Sawdust
Industry: Bowling Products Manufacturing
Equipment: Dust Collector
Company: QubicaAMF Worldwide
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, QubicaAMF Worldwide was established in 1993 and is a leading manufacturer of products for new and existing bowling and entertainment centers. The company has an installed base in over 10,000 centers in 90 countries and employs 580 people.
Incident Description:
On December 14, 2018, the Watertown Daily Times reported that smoke was detected in the lane parts area of a bowling products manufacturer in Watertown, New York.
According to Flack Broadcasting, workers called 911 after observing smoke from a cutting area. The Lowville Volunteer Fire Department responded immediately and determined that the source of the smoke was the smouldering embers in the piping of the dust collection system. The situation was addressed quickly enough that a full fire did not develop.
The company vice-president stated that the firefighters were able to take the pipe apart and clean it, allowing operations to resume. Fire investigators identified the cause of the fire as sawdust.
There were no injuries reported and no information about any property damage.
Previous Incidents:
On May 7, 2015, the Watertown Daily Times reported a silo fire at the QubicaAMF Worldwide plant in Lowville, New York. There was no major damage except for some water damage and the flushing of sawdust from the two affected silos.
Another silo fire was reported by the Watertown Daily Times on February 6, 2014. Firefighters spent hours flushing the silos out after a dust-collection system in the plant ignited collection bins. The Lowville fire chief said that the fire was contained to the silos and there was no danger from chemicals in the plant.
The facility also had a pair of silo fires in July 2005 and March 2006.
OSHA Inspections:
An establishment search turned up two OSHA inspections for QubicaAMF Worldwide in Lowville, New York. One, which was initiated on March 21, 2018, was reported to involve combustible dust. There was no press coverage of this incident.
Sources:
Watertown Daily Times (December 2018)
Flack Broadcasting
Watertown Daily Times (May 2015)
Watertown Daily Times (February 2014)
