Date: May 15, 2021
Location: Riegelwood, North Carolina (USA)
Address: 361 State Road 1879, 28456
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Wood Dust
Industry: Sawmill (Wood and Wood Products)
Equipment: Pipe
Company: West Fraser
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to its website, West Fraser Mill is one of North America’s largest lumber manufacturers with 45 facilities in British Columbia, Alberta, and the southern U.S. Products include lumber, panels, engineered wood products, pulp and paper, newsprint, wood chips and other residuals. It was founded in 1955 and is headquartered in Vancouver, BC.
Incident Description:
On May 15, 2021, the News Reporter reported a sawdust fire at a sawmill in Riegelwood, North Carolina.
The fire started when a welding crew working on a tower ignited sawdust in the elbow of a large pipe. Firefighters from four departments responded after getting the call at around 11:00 a.m. and initially fought the flames with water from its ladder truck. They then sent a three-man team up the tower to unbolt an area, so that the fire could be suppressed with a hand line and foam.
The fire was under control after three hours. No injuries were reported.
Sources:
News Reporter
