Date: April 26, 2018
Location: Rosenberg (Germany)
Address: Holzmühle 1, Rosenberg, Germany 73494
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Cellulose Dust
Industry: Wood Fibre Processing (Wood Products)
Equipment: Unknown
Company: J. Rettenmaier & Söhne
Previous Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: Seven People Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, J. Rettenmaier & Söhne is a wood fibre processor based in Rosenberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It was established in 1938 as a wood fibre processor but expanded to cellulose powder in 1956 and cellulose fibre in 1977. In addition to Europe, the company has operations in Russia, Finland, India, Mexico and the USA.
Description of Dust Fire:
On April 26, 2018, Schwabische Post reported a dust fire at a wood fibre processing plant in Rosenberg, Germany. According to the police, seven firefighters had to be treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire broke out at 2:40 p.m. in the main processing area. Employees were immediately evacuated while fire crews fought to contain the flames. This proved to be difficult, as glowing piles of wood material were everywhere inside the plant, but the local fire brigade, along with crews from Ellwangen, got the fire under control.
The cause of the fire is under investigation and the resulting property damage has not yet been quantified.
Incident Update:
In a follow up review of the incident, EUWID reported that an explosion had occurred in the cellulose shredder which creates wood fibres. Schwabische, Rosenberg reported that the dust explosion occurred in the system piping with solids produced from grinding. This report also stated that the seven injured employees tried to extinguish the resulting fire with foam and suffered smoke inhalation of “toxic flue gases” escaping from the machinery.
Sources:
Schwabische Post
EUWID
Schwabische, Rosenberg
