Date: February 20, 2019
Location: Fairbank, Iowa (USA)
Address: 1277 102nd Street, 50629
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Grain Dust
Industry: Ethanol
Company: Flint Hills Resources
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, Flint Hills Resources is based in Wichita, Kansas and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc. It produces chemicals, polymers and fuels used in food packaging, automotive parts, home appliances, and as fuel for the transportation industry. The company has outlets across the United States and one in Alberta, Canada.
Incident Description:
On February 21, 2019, Powder & Bulk Solids reported a silo fire at an ethanol plant in Fairbank, Iowa.
According to the Fairbank Fire Department, the silo contained distillers grain at the time the fire broke out. Firefighters from several municipalities responded and managed to contain the flames to one silo. The police asked the public to stay clear of roads near the facility while the firefighting was underway.
Fire crews remained on site until past 9:00 p.m. to monitor the smoldering grain. Half the silo was burned down.
According to the Courier, the fire is believed to have started from spontaneous combustion of the dry distillers grain in the silo. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Sources:
Powder & Bulk Solids
Courier
