Operations & Training

Food Production Plant Explosion Injures Two IL Firefighters

July 25, 2020

Two Galesburg firefighters were knocked down by an explosion as they scaled a catwalk while battling a blaze that started in a grain-bin dryer at a food production facility.

By Nick Vlahos

Source Journal Star, Peoria, Ill.

Two Galesburg, IL, firefighters suffered minor injuries battling a blaze at a food production facility Friday.

GALESBURG, IL—A blaze Friday at a Galesburg food production facility resulted in an explosion that sent two firefighters to a hospital, authorities stated.

The fire began sometime before 9:30 a.m. in a grain-bin dryer at 701 W. Sixth St. Arriving crews found smoke rising from a tower atop the building and employees attempting to douse the flames, according to the Galesburg Fire Department.

A pair of firefighers scaled a catwalk in an attempt to attack the fire from the top of the bin. Before the firefighters could get into position, an explosion knocked them down.

The explosion also blew off several metal ventilation panels and caused other firefighters to evacuate the building interior, the department stated. From outside, crews brought the blaze under control in about 15 minutes.

The two firefighters injured in the explosion were transported to OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg. The injuries were minor, and the men were treated and released.

The building sustained heavy smoke and fire damage. The fire cause was under investigation.

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