Explosion at biomass plant kills three

subscribe

An explosion at a biomass plant sited at one of Europe's largest chipboard-manufacturing factories resulted in the deaths of three workers February 5.

The blast occurred at the Brilon chipboard plant in North Rhine-Westphalia in western Germany, when a thermal-oil boiler exploded. This is the second fatal power plant-related explosion in less than week. The deaths in Brilon preceded the massive blast at the new Middletown Energy Center gas-fired power plant in Connecticut at the weekend, which blew part of the structure away, killing five contractors and injuring a dozen more.

Egger Group, the owners of the Brilon plant, said that a replacement boiler exploded. In a statement, the company said: "The accident occurred in the biomass heating plant on the premises of the Sauerland wood-based material manufacturer. A replacement boiler, which had been recently approved by a certified companyÂ… exploded. The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation. Egger is fully supporting these investigations.

Company management has informed the families of the deceased employees about the accident, expressed its condolences and pledged its support. The employees were aged 21, 59 and 62 years."

The explosion caused a fire, which took 47 fire fighters 90 minutes to bring under control. More than a 1,000 people are employed at the plant.

Related News

California avoids widespread rolling blackouts as heat strains power grid

LOS ANGELES - California has avoided ordering rolling blackouts after electricity demand reached a record-high Tuesday night from excessive heat across the state. 

The California Independent System Operator, which oversees the state’s electrical grid, imposed its highest level energy emergency on Tuesday, a step that comes before ordering rolling blackouts and allows the state to access emergency power sources.

The Office of Emergency Services also sent a text alert to residents requesting them to conserve power. The operator downgraded the Stage 3 alert around 8:00 p.m. PT on Tuesday and said that “consumer conservation played a big part in protecting electric grid…

READ MORE
summerside electric

Summerland solar power project will provide electricity

READ MORE

powerlines

Canada and Manitoba invest in new turbines

READ MORE

Why the Texas Power Grid Is Facing Another Crisis

READ MORE

Drax Power Station

How the dirtiest power station in western Europe switched to renewable energy

READ MORE