Date: October 22, 2019
Location: Blair, Nebraska (USA)
Address: 14386 County Road 12, 68008
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Grain Dust
Industry: Grain Storage (Agriculture)
Equipment: Grain Bin
Company: Unknown
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
The farm where the incident occurred is a privately owned enterprise.
Incident Description:
On October 22, 2019, the Pilot Tribune & Enterprise reported a grain bin fire at a facility in Blair, Nebraska.
Firefighters from Blair and Herman responded shortly after 7:45 a.m. They found smoke issuing from the bin, which contained nearly 70,000 bushels of soybeans. According to the Blair Fire Chief, flames were shooting from the top of the structure when he arrived.
After spraying the bin, fire crews opened the roof. After the fire was declared extinguished shortly before 11:00 a.m., an excavator was used to open the bin so the remaining grain could be sprayed with foam to prevent a rekindle.
The Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the fire was accidental, and may have been caused by the heat of a light bulb in the grain bin.
“You’ve got to be careful with any kind of dust,” the Fire Chief said. “It can be explosive.”
No injuries were reported.
Sources:
Pilot Tribune & Enterprise
