![]() ![]() Rima Zahed, whose brother died in the 2020 blast and who has been part of a survivors' group lobbying for the preservation of the silos as a testament to the port explosion, blamed the government for not taking action to put out the weekslong fire. ![]() Many rushed to close windows and return indoors after the collapse Sunday. The fire and the dramatic sight of the partially blackened silo revived memories and in some cases, the trauma for the survivors of the gigantic explosion that tore through the port on Aug. The environment and health ministries last week issued instructions to residents living near the port to stay indoors in well-ventilated spaces. Firefighters and Lebanese Army soldiers were unable to put it out and it smoldered for weeks, a nasty smell spreading around. In July, a fire broke out in the northern block of the silos due to the fermenting grains. It was ruled accidental.The 50 year-old, 48 meter (157 feet) tall silos had withstood the force of the explosion two years ago, effectively shielding the western part of Beirut from the blast that killed over 200 people, injured more than 6,000 and badly damaged entire neighborhoods. That's just across the river from Monday's silo fire. It took a while to put that fire out as well because it was in a confined space.īack in July 2005, the Anderson's grain elevator at the Cargill plant on Edwin Drive exploded. In January 2000, a grain elevator caught fire in east Toledo. A worker discovered the fire in a corn cob processing building and firefighters quickly contained it to keep it from spreading. Back in 1997, an Anderson's grain elevator had to be shut down in Maumee. Grain silos in our area have caught fire before. Dozens hunkered down for hours at the East Toledo Senior Activities Center until about 10:00 p.m. ![]() The hole may also cause a collapse.Īfter an entire day of mapping out a plan of attack and coordinating numerous departments, crews simply wanted to get to the heart of this fire and get it out.Įarlier in the day, the evacuation area was significantly large. Their plan was to drain the water pumped in by fire hoses and the grain itself. ![]() Inside that silo, firefighters estimate $32 million worth of wheat grain.Īs darkness fell, crews swung a wrecking ball puncturing a hole in the silo 45 feet from the top. Chief Tom Jaksetic of the Bureau of Homeland Security says, "Well, the reason they did that was in the case that it did fall." Workers cut the beams along the sides and severed it from the conveyor belt on top. So, the owners of the silo, ADM, had crews separate it from the others. I ain't got no place to go.'"īut there was no telling how this fire might go. I said, 'What for?' She said this thing's going to blow up. Alan Hill who lives near the silo says, "I was just home taking a nap, My wife come in and said we were supposed to evacuate. Firefighters then put out an evacuation order. Shortly after smoke started piping out of this 120-foot grain silo, neighbors on Toledo's east side came out for a look. There are 27 homes in that park and right now, no one is allowed to stay there. Some people in this area are still being kept back from their homes and businesses.Īt last check, police are escorting residents into a nearby mobile home park allowing them to get their medication. It's been a very long day for crews on the scene trying to stop the fire and keep people in the area safe. Crews began hitting the structure with a wrecking ball Monday evening. The focus now is bringing down the silo eventually. It doesn't want run-off into the Maumee River, because it could clog up the oxygen levels.Ī day-long drama is playing out in east Toledo where a grain silo caught fire forcing evacuations and street closures. The EPA is also keeping an eye on the piles of grain. Toledo fire says the company is looking into salvaging this grain, shopping it around as feed for livestock. Once the fire was out at the silo owned by ADM Grain, crews used a wrecking ball to drain $3.5 million worth of wheat grain. Those evacuated have been allowed back in their homes and businesses. They say the silo structure is sound and don't expect it to collapse. They've punched holes in the silo and are removing grain from it as it spills out the side. Firefighters have made major progress battling the grain silo fire on Miami Street and believe the blaze is finally out for good. ![]()
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