Bin Blast May Have Been Electrical

06/12/2008 06:25:29


THACKERY, Ohio -- An explosion that caused serious damage to a grain bin in Champaign County may have started from electrical problems, company officials said Wednesday, June 11.

According to information from Champaign Landmark Inc., the explosion at their facility at 8130 Ohio 44 in Thackery may have started when employees turned on lights at the building to begin daily operations after the weekend. On Monday, June 9, the explosion forced the roofs of several grain silos to collapse and shifted others from their base. No one was injured in the blast.

Christiansburg firefighters could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

According to Landmark officials, nine bins were involved in the explosion. Together, they make up House 4, which is separated from the Main House. About 400,000 bushels of corn were stored in House 4.

Firefighters from several departments responded to the scene a second time Tuesday, June 10 after a second fire.

Landmark spokesperson Betty Thornton said one of the bins still had a surface fire as late as Wednesday morning "as a result of burning debris from the head house and roofs."

In an attempt to allow firefighters to battle the blaze on the ground, a crane was brought in to create an opening and release the grain in one of the bins.

In all, about 200,000 bushels of corn was released and will be moved across the road from the facility.

(Article courtesy of www.springfieldnewssun.com)

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