Date: January 17, 2019
Location: Summer Shade, Kentucky (USA)
Address: 5126 Summer Shade Road, 42166
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Charcoal Dust
Industry: Charcoal Production
Equipment: Unknown
Company: Kingsford Manufacturing
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, Kingsford Manufacturing is a charcoal production company in Summer Shade, Kentucky. Other locations are in Belle, Missouri; Springfield, Oregon; Burnside, Kentucky; and Parsons, West Virginia. It was founded in 1920 and is presently owned by The Clorox Company. It is the leading manufacturer of charcoal in the United States, with 80 percent market share.
Incident Description:
On January 17, 2019, Powder & Bulk Solids reported a fire and two explosions at a charcoal production plant in Summer Shade, Kentucky.
The fire broke out at around 12:35 p.m. on January 7 and spread to the bagging house and five silos, two of which exploded. A conveyor system was completely destroyed.
A total of eight fire departments responded. According to Sckentucky.com, each one brought tanker trucks to the site due to a pump problem. These trucks were refilled at different off-site locations before returning to supply the firefighters.
Firefighters had to use a ladder truck to reach the top of the silos and soak the charcoal down. After getting the fire under control, crews remained at the scene until 8:00 p.m. to monitor for hot spots and flare-ups.
No injuries were reported.
Sources:
Powder & Bulk Solids
Sckentucky.com
