Date: August 10, 2023
Location: La Rochelle, Nouvelle-Aquitaine (France)
Address: Port Atlantique La Rochelle
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Grain Dust
Industry: Grain Processing (Agriculture)
Equipment: Grain Silo
Company: Port Atlantique La Rochelle
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to its website, Port Atlantique La Rochelle is a grain port in La Rochelle, France. Situated in the third-largest cereal-producing area in France, the Port serves as a hub for various cereal products like soft and hard wheat, corn, barley (for brewing or fodder), sunflower, rape, and alfalfa.
Incident Description:
On August 10, 2023, Marine Executive reported a fire at a grain port in La Rochelle, France.
Local authorities received word of the fire at around 8:00 a.m. Firefighting crews faced difficulties in controlling the fire, which seemed to ignite in one silo and then spread to three adjacent silos. Initially, 96 firefighters were at the scene, but the challenging situation required reinforcements, bringing the total to 120 firefighters and 22 pieces of equipment. The height of the silos presented a specific obstacle, requiring the use of a specialized lift platform to access the flames.
Residents were warned to shut their windows and doors as images revealed a significant smoke plume emanating from the grain silos and dispersing over the region. Firefighters also established a 100-metre exclusion zone around the fire, leading to further evacuations of nearby businesses and residences.
The company subsequently announced that the fire was successfully confined to the silos’ exterior and was fueled by wooden sheathing. They suspected that a conveyor belt used for grain transport sparked the fire. While they stated that the grain itself remained unaffected, there were indications that measures were being taken to relocate the grain away from the fire.
No injuries were reported.
Sources:
Marine Executive
