Date: April 4, 2018
Location: Hartford, MI (USA)
Address: 200 Prospect Street, Hartford, MI 49057
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Magnesium Dust
Industry: Metal Finishing (Manufacturing)
Equipment: Dust Collector
Company: Mann Metal Finishing
Previous Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, Mann Metal Finishing started as a family-owned business in 1973. Today it provides metal finishing services for die casters, painters and other service providers across the region.
Description of Magnesium Dust Fire:
On April 4, 2018, WWMT reported a dust fire at a metal finishing company in Hartford, Michigan. Fire officials stated that the flames were contained in the dust collection system and never touched the building itself.
Workers evacuated the building for around half an hour while the fire was initially combated with foam due to concerns over a potential reaction between water and the magnesium in the dust collector. Once it was safe to do so, firefighters extinguished the flames with water to flush the unit completely.
No injuries were reported.
Previous Incidents:
An earlier fire was reported by Firehouse on November 13, 2005. In this instance, the blaze spread quickly because of the magnesium dust buildup in the heat ducts and the 50+ miles per hour winds that drove the fire from one end of the building to the other. Billowing black smoke could be seen for miles around and the building was practically destroyed.
Over a year before this incident, on May 8, 2004, HartfordMichigan.com reported a dust fire that destroyed one of the original company buildings. The cause was later determined to be a lightning strike.
According to the Herald-Palladium, when the company owner ran the business out of nearby Lawrence, Michigan, a devastating fire nearly closed the operation. The company was moved to its Hartford location, where it now operates.
Sources:
WWMT
Firehouse
Herald-Palladium
