Date: June 2, 2018
Location: Grantham, England (UK)
Address: Springfield Rd, Grantham, England NG31 7SH
Type: Malt Fire
Fuel: Barley Malt
Industry: Maltings
Equipment: Unknown
Company: Bairds Malt Ltd.
Previous Incidents: January 29, 2018
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: None Recorded
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to their website, Bairds Grantham Maltings is centrally located in a traditional malting town. It is the last operating malting in the town, having been built in 1964. Grantham produces approximately 30,000 tonnes of malt annually, most of which is used by traditional brewers.
The site consists of separate steeping, germination and kilning vessels and is fully automated through computer systems throughout the facility. Bairds produces 255,000 tonnes per year and built their newest facility in Arbroath in January 2010, expanding their production capacity by 57,000 tonnes annually. Their three Scottish malt houses make Bairds a leading supplier for the distilling industry in Scotland.
The history of the company can be traced back to 1823 when Hugh Baird and his brother Frank founded their first brewery, Great Canal Brewery in Glasgow.
Description of Malt Fire:
For the second time in a year, firefighters were called to the Grantham Baird Maltings facility for a fire.
According to Lincolnshire Live, the giant blaze broke out around 8:00 pm on Friday, June 1, 2018. Roughly eight fire engines were on scene and nearby roads were closed in order to keep citizens away from the smoke. Observers said that “the smell was terrible and made breathing uncomfortable.”
Firefighters determined approximately 20 tonnes of barley malt was lost and that a malt kiln suffered extensive damage from heat and smoke. Firefighters used a variety of tools including thermal imaging cameras and breathing apparatuses during the incident, but they were unable to determine the cause of the fire.
This was the second fire within six months at the Grantham facility. Ten engines and 55 firefighters battled a fire at the facility on January 29, 2018, in a major fire that caused significant damage to multiple floors of the site.
Sources:
Lincolnshire Live
Grantham Journal
Powder Bulk Solids
Daily Gazette
