Spokane: Commercial Fire Kept Contained to Dust Collection Machinery
Washingtoner/10238468

~ At 5:33 a.m. this morning, Spokane Fire Department's Engine 7 and Ladder 1 were dispatched to the ADM Milling Company located at 2301 East Trent Ave for a general activation of their fire alarm system. Upon arrival, firefighters identified a fire in the machinery designed to contain dust within the facility.

Justin de Ruyter, Spokane Fire PIO, said that quick action from the firefighters successfully isolated and extinguished the fire, preventing it from causing damage beyond the machine. Simultaneously, other firefighters secured a water supply from the nearby fire hydrant and deployed hoselines to connect to the building's standpipe system, ensuring an ample water source for firefighting on the upper floors.

More on Washingtoner

• City of Tacoma Observes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday on January 19
• Tacoma: OMWBE Intro to Certification 101 Workshop on February 4
• Secondesk Launches Powerful AI Tutor That Speaks 20+ Languages
• Automation, innovation in healthcare processes featured at international conference in Atlanta
• A High-Velocity Growth Story Emerges in Marine and Luxury Markets

The incident underscored the significant threat of dust fires due to the combustible nature of fine particles suspended in the air. Ignition can lead to rapid and intense fires, with the potential for dust explosions amplifying the danger to firefighters. The ignition of a concentrated dust cloud can trigger a chain reaction with potentially devastating consequences.

Fortunately, current damage estimates are unavailable as de Ruyter reported that this morning's swift response and effective firefighting measures averted potential millions of dollars in losses for the business. Notably, no injuries were reported among employees or firefighters due to hours of training dedicated to firefighting operations each year.

---

Show All News | Report Violation