Operations & Training

Four Firefighters Injured in Silo Blaze Near Houston

June 11, 2019

Crews from several Texas fire departments, including Houston, Crosby, Channelview and Baytown, responded to the multi-alarm fire, which was caused by mechanical failure.

By Jay R. Jordan

Source Houston Chronicle

Four firefighters were injured in a multi-alarm silo farm Sunday in Channelview, TX, near Houston.

A multi-alarm fire inside a grain silo that landed four firefighters in the hospital was determined to be caused by a mechanical failure, authorities said.

Channelview firefighters rushed to the Cargill facility in the 16100 block of Peninsula Boulevard around 9 p.m. Sunday and found the top of a grain silo on fire, according to Metro Video. Firefighters from several other departments, including the Houston Fire Department, were also called out after firefighters on the ground pulled a second alarm.

Four firefighters were taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion, while three others were treated on scene and released, according to the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office. One of the injured firefighters also suffered smoke inhalation and remained hospitalized as of reports on early Monday morning.

Arson investigators with the fire marshal's office determine the fire was started by a conveyor belt that burned out.

———

Visit the Houston Chronicle at www.chron.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.