A sawdust hopper exploded and caught on fire at an industrial facility in San Leandro, CA last Sunday as contractors were performing welding work, the Alameda County Fire Department said in statements posted to social media networks. 

Alameda County firefighters responded to the facility on the 800 block of Doolittle Drive at about 11:30 a.m. after observing a smoking hopper at the site, officials said in information shared on Instagram. 

“Shortly after arriving at the scene to investigate further, the hopper exploded and caused a fire,” Alameda County Fire stated. “Contractors were welding the hopper to disassemble it, not realizing it was full of sawdust. The welding ignited the sawdust and a sudden shift of the hopper caused a large dust cloud (inside the hopper) that led to a dust explosion and fire.”

No workers were injured during the incident, but one firefighter was brought to an area hospital for heat-related issues. They were later released. 

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