Date: August 3, 2018
Location: Palmer, Kansas (USA)
Address: 208 North Nadeau Avenue, 66962
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Grain Dust
Industry: Animal Feed (Food Processing)
Equipment: No Details
Company: Palmer Grain Company Inc.
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, Palmer Grain Company Inc. was founded on April 1, 1976, when local farmers from Palmer, Kansas purchased a grain elevator located in the town. Grain bins were soon added, followed by the construction of a new liquid fertilizer plant on Highway 15 in 1995. That facility expanded in 2003 with the addition of a dry fertilizer storage and blend plant. Palmer Grain Company, Inc. presently has grain storage capacity of 1,042,000 bushels, and fertilizer storage of 1000 tons. It also provides custom grinding and feed delivery, plus application services of fertilizer and chemicals to producers in the Linn – Palmer area.
Incident Description:
On August 3, 2018 the local news agency KSNT reported a dust explosion at a grain mill in Palmer, Kansas. The Washington County News noted on its Facebook page that one person was injured in the blast, which took place at around 2:45 p.m. This party was airlifted to an area hospital for treatment.
The explosion, which was heard across the town, occurred in the vicinity of the loading bay: photos published online showed bent metal to the left of the entrance. Local roads were blocked off temporarily while local fire departments investigated.
There were no other injuries and the cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
