Date: July 13, 2019
Location: West Fargo, North Dakota (USA)
Address: 1002 Main Ave. West, 58078
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Grain Dust
Industry: Malt Production (Food and Food Products)
Equipment: Unknown
Company: Busch Agricultural Resources
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: Two Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, Busch Agricultural Resources was founded in 1981. Its parent organization is Anheuser-Busch. It is headquartered in Idaho Falls, Idaho and produces barley for malting purposes.
Incident Description:
On July 13, 2019, KFGO reported a fire at a grain elevator in West Fargo, North Dakota.
When firefighters arrived shortly after 4:00 a.m., the flames had destroyed the northern section of the roof, so they used a ladder truck to apply water.
The West Fargo Assistant Fire Chief said that once they put part of the fire out, they found more under the roof membrane. “We keep chasing it down but every time we open part of the roof, seems another one is there,” he said.
After another ladder truck was deployed at around 5:30 a.m., the firefighters were able to put out the flames visible from the roof.
According to KVRR, it took 16 hours to put the fire out. Two firefighters were taken to the hospital for heat injuries. The cause of the fire is unknown.
Incident Update:
Upon conclusion of the investigation into the fire, the West Fargo Pioneer reports the cause remains ‘undetermined.’
OSHA Inspections:
An establishment search turned up one OSHA inspection for Busch Agricultural Resources. It was flagged for combustible dust.
Sources:
KFGO
KVRR
West Fargo Pioneer (July 31, 2019)
