Date: September 2, 2021
Location: Hazlehurst, Georgia (USA)
Address: Highway 341, 31539
Type: Potential Dust Explosion
Fuel: Wood Dust
Industry: Wood Pellets (Wood and Wood Processing)
Equipment: Unknown
Company: Hazlehurst Wood Pellet Company
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: Four Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
Hazlehurst Wood Pellet Company does not appear to have a website. It is a wood pellet production facility located in Hazlehurst, Georgia. According to Powder & Bulk Solids, it was founded in 2013 and is a subsidiary of Fram Renewable Fuels LLC.
Incident Description:
On September 2, 2021, Fox 28 reported an explosion at a wood pellet manufacturing plant in Hazlehurst, Georgia.
The fire began shortly after 4:30 p.m. An explosion was heard inside the factory. Flames could be seen from inside the building at its height.
Two burn victims were flown by emergency medical helicopter to a hospital while two others were treated at a local area hospital.
Sprinklers had recently been upgraded at the plant, which helped firefighters immensely. Forty-five firefighters helped put out the fire and a tanker truck from Wheeler County was on hand to assist.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Fire Chief said he wasn’t sure what caused it but he believed some pellets may have over heated and the product on it ignited, resulting in a big flash and explosion.
Sources:
Powder & Bulk Solids
Fox 28
