Fire officials suspect ComDust in Australian pellet plant explosion
PERTHSHIRE, AUSTRALIA - Firefighters investigating a March 4 explosion that injured two workers at a wood processing plant believe it was caused by a build-up of dust.

Senior fire officer Colin Hannigan told the Press and Journal that the build-up had occurred in machinery containing wood chippings.

Two men were rushed to the hospital suffering from burns to their face and neck and smoke inhalation as a result of the blaze. “We believe it was caused by a dust explosion,” Hannigan said. “There are fine pieces of dust and if they happen to ignite it will trigger an explosion, which results in more dust igniting and therefore a much bigger fire – that’s what we think happened here.

“There has been a significant amount of damage to the plant machinery caused by the explosion and the heat and it is likely it will be out of operation for some time,” Hannigan added.

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