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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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.
Read more.
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