Date: November 20, 2018
Location: Bellevue, Ohio (USA)
Address: 605 Goodrich Road, 44811
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Grain Dust
Industry: Soybean Oil Refining
Equipment: Grain Dryer
Company: Bunge North America
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: One Person Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, Bunge North America was founded in 1918 and is currently headquartered in Chesterfield, Missouri. Its business involves oilseed processing, refining edible oils, milling corn, rice and wheat, and more. The parent company, Bunge Limited, has approximately 32,000 employees in 40 countries.
Incident Description:
On November 20, 2018, Powder & Bulk Solids reported a dust explosion at a soybean oil refinery in Bellevue, Ohio.
Firefighters from several municipalities responded when the fire was reported in a grain elevator at around 8:30 a.m. Dark smoke issued from the top of the silo, prompting a building-wide evacuation.
According to the Fremont News Messenger, there was an explosion in the elevator soon after crews arrived. The Sandusky Register reported that one firefighter required treatment for smoke inhalation at an area hospital, but was released later that day.
The fire was believed to have originated in a grain dryer. No other injuries were reported.
OSHA Inspections:
An establishment search located one OSHA inspection for the Bunge North America location in Bellevue, Ohio, but combustible dust was not involved.
Sources:
Powder & Bulk Solids
Fremont News Messenger
Sandusky Register
