Date: July 30, 2018
Location: Eureka, Illinois (USA)
Address: 927 County Hwy 3, 61530
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Grain Dust
Industry: Grain Processing (Agricultural)
Equipment: Grain Dryer
Company: Grainland Cooperative
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, Grainland Cooperative was created when Farmers Grain Cooperative of Eureka and Secor Elevator Company merged in July 1999. On August 1, 2014, Minier Cooperative Grain Company also merged with Grainland Cooperative. It has 23 full-time employees and six locations throughout Illinois with a total storage capacity of over 21 million bushels. Commodities handled are corn, beans, and wheat.
Description of Grain Dust Explosion:
On July 30, 2018, Powder & Bulk Solids reported an explosion at a grain elevator in Eureka, Illinois. The alleged cause is a fire in the grain drying equipment. Footage of the explosion was released by a nearby company and shows the explosion initiating at the top of the silo and propagating to the bottom followed by fire and smoke.
Fire crews from five fire departments converged in the site shortly after 6:30 a.m. No staff were inside the building when the fire and blast took place, and no injuries were reported. The extent of damages to the elevator is unknown.
OSHA Inspections:
An establishment search showed two OSHA inspections for Grainland Cooperative in Illinois. Neither inspection was flagged under the Combustible Dust National Emphasis program.
Sources:
Powder & Bulk Solids
Central Illinois Proud