Date: October 22, 2018
Location: Strathroy, Ontario (Canada)
Address: 155 High Street East, N7G 1H4
Type: Potential Dust Explosion
Fuel: Magnesium Dust
Industry: Magnesium Die Casting (Metal Working)
Equipment:
Company: Meridian
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: Two Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, Meridian makes magnesium die-cast components. It started in 1981 as CAE Webster and was purchased by Meridian Technologies in 1989. In 1994, Meridian commenced operations at a new Eaton Rapids, Michigan facility known as Magnesium Products of America. The plant on High Street East, which opened in 1981, produces about 16,000 net metric tons of product annually and covers an area of 229,000 sq. ft.
Incident Description:
On October 23, 2018, Global News reported an explosion at a magnesium die casting plant in Strathroy, Ontario. It occurred at around 7:00 p.m. when a piece of machinery caught fire. Emergency crews, including firefighters from stations in Strathroy and Mount Brydges, were called to the scene.
The Strathroy-Caradoc CAO said that there was a significant amount of damage done to the left side of the plant. Some hydraulics were also burning. He said that the plant was in operation at the time and that two people suffered minor injuries from falling debris. According to Strathroy Today, neither man required hospitalization.
The fire inspector and labour ministry are conducting an investigation into the cause of the explosion.
Sources:
Global News
Strathroy Today
