Hibbing Power Plant Catches Fire
Press release for structure fire at Hibbing Public Utilities Power Plant 1832 E 6th Ave, Hibbing MN 55746.
The Hibbing Fire department took a direct call from the public utilities plant at 0237pm reporting a fire on a conveyor belt. At 0241 the Hibbing Fire department arrived on scene to smoke and flames from the top of a 5 story conveyor belt on the bio-mass side of the power plant.
The conveyor carried wood chips to a loading area to be burned for steam generation. HPUC employees reported that the belt had broken and the fire appeared to be contained to the top of the conveyor.
The engine company initially used a large deck gun to knock down the visible flames while the ladder company stretched a hand line up the ladder to knock down any remaining hotspots. The conveyor was also equipped with a sprinkler system which did activate and assisted in controlling the fire. Crews remained on scene for several hours ensuring all the hot spots were extinguished.
There were no reported injuries as a result of the fire. The fire appears to have been caused by a bearing failure on the conveyor belt. The conveyor sustained water, smoke, and fire damages estimated at $70,000. The PUC remained operational.
The extinguishment of this fire was successful in part to the great mutual aide response from the following departments: Chisholm Fire, Keewatin Fire, and Hibbing PUC.
