Date: July 19, 2018
Location: Marathon City, Wisconsin (USA)
Address: 6752 State Highway 107 North, 54448
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Wood Dust
Industry: Animal Bedding (Wood Products)
Equipment: Wood Conveyor
Company: Marth Wood Shavings Supply Inc.
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, Marth Wood Shavings Supply Inc. started manufacturing animal bedding from recycled wood waste in 1958. Today, it produces a wider variety of animal bedding products as well as other wood products, such as wood pellets for use as clean-burning fuel and even wood flour/ fibre fillers. In 1984 it opened a subsidiary, Marth Transportation Inc., to offer common and contract carrier hauling for many large customers in Wisconsin to the Southeastern/Southern United States.
Description of Wood Dust Fire:
On July 19, 2018, WSAW-TV reported a fire at a wood shavings facility in Marathon City, Wisconsin. The Town of Hamburg Fire Chief identified the cause as an equipment failure. He explained that a piece of equipment that keeps the wood product moving malfunctioned, causing the wood to heat up and ignite.
Firefighters responded just after 6:15 p.m. There was some interior damage, but employees got out safely and there were no injuries. Company owners said they hoped to be fully operational within a week.
Previous Incidents:
On December 29, 2017, WSAW-TV reported a fire in a smokestack at Marth Wood Shavings. The Hamburg Fire Department Chief speculated that a spark had gotten into one of the towers. He explained, “When that happens, they’re designed to– as soon as it detects a spark, instead of pushing material through it, it’ll reverse itself and push everything out.”
Fire crews worked in cold weather, so the Salvation Army also responded to assist them. The blaze was under control about 40 minutes after it was first reported.
