Quick Response from Local Fire Departments

Karen Graham

Cavan Monaghan fire fighters were called to the Masterfeeds plant on County Road 10 in Cavan at 2:30 last Thursday afternoon after smoke filled the plant.  The smouldering was created by the hammer mill used to grind corn and grain for animal feed production, which had become plugged with the hot, humid weather.  Staff was evacuated, and with a temperature of 31degrees on the ground and even higher inside the plant, two crew members suffered from minor heat exhaustion but were treated and released.  MasterfeedsPlant manager Larry Mann was pleased with the quick response of both the Cavan Monaghan and neighbouring fire fighters from Peterborough, Otonabee-South Monaghan and others who quickly dealt with the threat.  The plant was back up and running by 11 pm that evening.

The Masterfeeds Plant in Cavan was the scene of a small fire which was promptly contained thanks to the quick response of local Fire Fighters. Photo: Karen Graham.

The Masterfeeds Plant in Cavan was the scene of a small fire which was promptly contained thanks to the quick response of local Fire Fighters. Photo: Karen Graham.

This is the second fire in a CanadianMasterfeeds plant in a month.  The firm’s Regina plant was the scene of a second significant fire on August 17th after suffering $20,000 damages from a fire in April 2014 in the same location.  All three events were caused by overheated mechanical equipment.

In the Cavan feed mill, a photo on the office wall of the remnants of the former building on that site which was burned to the ground in 1979 presents a constant reminder of the dangers of fire in this type of operation.  The significant stockpiles of grain can become fuel in outbreak and make it tricky to extinguish.

It is a good reminder that heat and humidity are dangerous conditions for machinery as well as people.

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