Processing System Error Causes Fire at Bunge PlantProcessing System Error Causes Fire at Bunge Plant

An error in a computerized processing system is thought to be the cause of a fire that ignited in the Bunge plant in Red Oak, IA on Wednesday, several local news organizations reported.

Firefighters were called to the facility at about 5:39 p.m. and worked for about two hours to douse the flames. 

The processing system malfunction resulted in the overheating of processed grain in two processing stacks located outside of the facility, Red Oak Fire Department Chief John Bruce told news radio station KMA. 

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The stacks involved in the fire sustained heavy damage, the official said, but no injuries were reported, Chief Bruce said in coverage by news website WesternIowaToday.com. Workers present in the facility during the fire were evacuated. 

Bunge’s facility in Red Oak, formerly owned by Minsa Corporation, processes corn flour, according to information on the Montgomery County Development Corporation’s website.

Powder & Bulk Solids reported in November 2018 that a firefighter was injured while putting out a four-alarm fire that broke out at the Bunge North America soybean oil refinery facility in Bellevue, OH.

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