Grain Elevator Explosions Cause Damage But No Injuries

TACOMA - Seventeen workers escaped unharmed yesterday morning when a grain elevator exploded along the city's waterfront.

Three "dust explosions" hit the nine-story elevator operated by the Continental Grain Co. on the Schuster Parkway, lasting only a few seconds but forceful enough to blow roof panels off a conveyor-belt building and send plumes of black smoke and flames out of a concrete main building.

Such a series of explosions can happen because dust collects over the years and explodes, then the fire spreads to dust collected in beams and other parts of the plant.

At the time of the explosion, reported at 4:44 a.m., four rail cars had been moved into position to be unloaded, said Capt. Gary Schiesz of the Tacoma Fire Department.

Some sort of mechanical ignition is suspected, he said, such as friction caused by conveyor belts or a spark from metal striking metal.

Hundreds of Amtrak passengers were left temporarily stranded by the explosion, which closed the main rail line between Seattle and

Portland.