Comdust Suspected in Fatal UK Wood Flour Mill Explosion
Wood Treatment Ltd Comdust Explosion.jpg

Photo By The Guardian/theguardian.com

BOSLEY, CHESHIRE, UK - Two are confirmed dead and another two are still missing following a suspected comdust explosion in a wood flour mill in Bosley, Cheshire. 

News reports say the four were working on an  upper floor of Wood Treatment Ltd. the morning of July 17 when the explosion occurred and a 1,000-degree fire destroyed the four-story building. More than 30 others were injured in the incident.

Wood Treatment Ltd. manufactures the Fibretron and Filtron brands of wood flour. The company also produces Natraplast wood-polymer and Smart Cat Litter. According to news sources, enforcement officers had been at the plant two weeks prior in response to complaints about wood dust, though no citations were issued. It was also revealed that the plant had previous fires in 2010 and 2012.

As of Tuesday, the deceaseds' names were not released, though they are believed to be among the four missing employees: Dorothy Bailey, 62, William Barks, 51, Jason Shingler, 38, and Derek Moore, 62.

The police and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating the explosion.
 

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About the author
Karen Koenig | Editor

Karen M. Koenig has more than 30 years of experience in the woodworking industry, including visits to wood products manufacturing facilities throughout North America, Europe and Asia. As editor of special publications under the Woodworking Network brand, including the Red Book Best Practices resource guide and website, Karen’s responsibilities include writing, editing and coordinating of editorial content. She is also a contributor to FDMC and other Woodworking Network online and print media owned by CCI Media. She can be reached at [email protected]