Kent Feeds in Sheldon, Iowa, experienced its second explosion in just 10 days on October 1, this time followed by a fire inside a cooler unit that required several hours of response and product removal.

The Sheldon Fire Company was called to the facility shortly before 12:30 a.m. after employees reported hearing an explosion. When firefighters arrived, there was no visible fire. O’Brien County Emergency Management used a drone to inspect the building for signs of damage or flames, but the initial assessment found nothing.

About 30 minutes later, firefighters entered the building from multiple locations and discovered smoke inside the structure and active flames coming from a cooler.

Additional crews were called to the scene, and firefighters worked to bring the fire under control. Kent employees then assisted crews in opening the bottom of the cooler so the product could be removed. The process of removing material and extinguishing remaining hot spots took approximately three hours.

Officials reported that damage was contained to the cooler and its contents. Approximately 4,000 gallons of water were used during the response, and no injuries were reported. The cause of the October 1 explosion and fire remains under investigation.

Second Incident at the Facility

The October incident came only 10 days after another explosion at the same Kent Feeds complex.

On September 21, firefighters were called to the facility shortly after 5 a.m. Employees reported that they were starting a grain dryer for daily operations when an explosion occurred.

That event caused significant visible damage to a feed mill tower. Utilities in the affected area were shut down while crews assessed the property, and a drone was used to check the facility for hot spots. No fire or injuries were reported. Authorities described the September incident as appearing accidental in nature.

The cause of the October incident remains under investigation, and authorities have not established that the two events were connected.

What Agricultural Property Claims Professionals May Encounter

Losses at grain elevators, feed mills and other agricultural processing facilities can involve much more than the area where fire or structural damage is immediately visible.

The October incident is a good example. An initial exterior and drone inspection did not reveal a fire, but crews later discovered smoke and active flames inside the building.

For claims professionals responding to similar agricultural property losses, the investigation may require consideration of:

• Cause and origin: Determining where and how an explosion, fire or equipment failure began.

• Structural and equipment damage: Evaluating grain dryers, coolers, conveying systems, electrical components, structural supports and surrounding equipment.

• Stored product: Determining whether grain, feed or other material was burned, exposed to heat, smoke, water or otherwise compromised.

• Fire suppression and mitigation: Assessing additional damage or cleanup associated with water use, product removal and emergency access.

• Hidden damage: Looking beyond immediately visible damage for heat, mechanical, electrical or structural effects elsewhere in the system.

• Operational interruption: Determining how damaged equipment, shutdowns, cleanup or safety inspections affect the facility’s ability to resume normal operations.

Agricultural processing facilities contain interconnected equipment, structures and stored commodities. When a fire, explosion or severe weather event occurs, understanding how those components interact can be an important part of accurately documenting the full extent of a property loss.

The two recent incidents in Sheldon are also a reminder that the first visible signs of damage do not always tell the entire story.

Sources: Sheldon Fire Company reporting via KTIV/KIWA, World Grain and Feed & Grain.