As the experts begin their investigation into the tragedy, I was curious about whether the Co-Gen facility on site played a role. So, using some aerial images, I pieced together the scene as best I could from the accident image and drone footage. This is just how I do my scene examination when my services are hired for these types of investigations. Just letting you see it through my eyes…
There are/were two (2) silos visible in the pre-accident aerial image. One was at the Co-Gen facility, and the other was well away from it. It was the one farthest away that was involved in the explosion. It was located adjacent to what appears to be a “Dust Collector/Baghouse” that was presumed to handle “wood dusts,” a combustible dust typically rated St2, but could be different based on the size of the particles inside the silo and if there was a “hybrid” mixture within the silo.
My GUESS, based on initial reporting of a “silo fire,” is a Backdraft Event. I have seen this firsthand at a client near my home where a “rotary dryer” was on fire. The FD decided to open the dryer to apply water, and as soon as they opened it, fresh air entered the vessel and an explosion occurred.