Date: January 5, 2019
Location: Clinton, Iowa (USA)
Address: 1811 South 4th Street, 52732
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Grain Dust
Industry: Grain Processing (Agriculture)
Equipment: Storage Bin
Company: ADM Grain
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: One Dead, One Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, ADM is a leading agricultural processor and food ingredient provider, with an estimated 31,000 employees serving customers in over 170 countries. It was founded in 1902 in Minneapolis as Daniels Linseed Co. and became Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) in 1923. Today, its holdings include 500 crop procurement locations, 270 food and feed ingredient manufacturing facilities, and 44 innovation centers.
Incident Description:
On January 5, 2019, the Gazette reported a dust explosion at a grain processing facility in Clinton, Iowa.
According to KWQC, firefighters arrived in response to reports of a fire in a silo storage bin. As they worked to get the flames under control, an explosion killed one firefighter and injured another.
The fireman who died was 33 years old and a lieutenant in the Clinton Fire Department. According to the State Fire Marshall’s Office, he was the eighth firefighter killed in the line of duty in Iowa in the past 10 years. The Des Moines Register noted that just weeks before he was killed, he was named Chief of the Charlotte Fire Department, a role his grandfather served in for 35 years.
On January 10, the Des Moines Register reported that an additional fireman is in critical but stable condition. The company expressed sadness at this turn of events. In a public statement, it said, “They (firefighters) put their lives in danger every day, and it’s hard to express how much we appreciate their selfless help in a time of need.”
No cause for the fire and explosion has been given. On January 8, WQAD reported that OSHA was investigating the incident.
Support The Victims:
According to the QC Times, accounts have been set up for the families of both firefighters at Clinton National Bank. Donations may be sent to 235 6th Ave. S., Clinton, IA 52732. Please indicate your donation is intended for the firefighters.
Previous Incidents:
No combustible dust incidents have been noted for this ADM location, but WQAD reported that in May 2018, a worker was severely injured when part of a boom truck came into contact with a high voltage power line there and in July of 2016, a man was killed at the company’s railroad switchyard.
Incident Update:
Local news station KCRG has reported the firefighter injured in the blaze has recovered and will return to work on May 8, 2019.
Incident Update:
In a July 30, 2019 article the Clinton Herald relayed findings of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), including a narrative of the incident as it occurred. According to the article, the smouldering fire occurred during efforts to clear a material bridge formation inside of the silo. The article also notes confusion between the owners, contractors and firefighters on the best way to tackle to a smouldering fire. The article indicates that incorrect information may have been provided to the firefighters which could have contributed to the explosion.
Incident Update:
On June 16, 2020, the Clinton Herald reported that the widow of the deceased firefighter was suing the plant and one other company. Her claim, which was made under the Wrongful Death Act, alleged that her husband’s death resulted from the defendants’ negligent acts and omissions subsequent to the arrival of fire department personnel.
The injured firefighter also sued both companies, accusing them of negligence in connection with the events leading up to his injuries.
Sources:
Gazette
KWQC
Des Moines Register (January 8)
Des Moines Register (January 10)
WQAD
QC Times
KCRG
Clinton Herald (July 20, 2019)
Clinton Herald (June 16, 2020)
