Dust Explosion at Riceland Foods Plant Injures 3

A company official said the blast possibly occurred when a spark contacted accumulated dust in a storage area.

John S. Forrester, former Managing Editor

October 19, 2020

1 Min Read
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Representative imageImage courtesy of Pixabay

Three workers were hurt in a combustible dust incident last Thursday at the Riceland Foods production plant in Stuttgart, AR, local news organizations reported.

“A minor dust explosion occurred at the Riceland Foods Stuttgart Rice Division complex on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020 at approximately 5:30 p.m. Three employees sustained minor injuries, and they have been treated and released,” the company said in a statement printed by the Stuttgart Daily Leader. “Damage assessments and repairs are underway. However, Riceland does not currently anticipate any material disruptions to business activities from this incident.”  

During the response, firefighters discovered that the blast disconnected several ducts from grain bins and blew off a door on one of the bins, the Daily Leader’s coverage said. Flames were found inside one duct. \

Riceland spokesperson Kevin McGilton told the Arkansas Democrat Gazette that the blast happened in an area of the facility used for rice storage and caused “significant” damage. The company official the explosion is thought to have been caused by a spark making contact with a dust accumulation.

About the Author

John S. Forrester

former Managing Editor, Powder & Bulk Solids

John S. Forrester is the former managing editor of Powder & Bulk Solids.

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