HAVCO silo fire shuts down plant

On one of the coldest days on record this winter, firefighters from Scott City and Cape Girardeau worked together Thursday afternoon to douse a smoldering silo fire at HAVCO Wood Products.

At about 1:45 p.m., the explosion doors on two silos containing saw dust blew open to relieve pressure building up inside by the rising heat, said HAVCO human resource manager Jill Haupt.

No injuries were reported, but the plant was evacuated for the day. Many of the plant's 225 workers were not due to arrive for a later shift until 3:30 p.m.

"But I we'll send them home until tomorrow, too," Haupt said.

Fire crews used a ladder truck to reach the top of both burning silos to shoot water through a 5-inch hose inside to saturate the sawdust inside.

There was some difficulty for firefighters in extinguishing a burning conveyor belt that runs between the silos.

Dangers were faced both from the silo fire and the bitter, cold winds.