Welding is believed to be the cause of a six-story mining conveyor belt fire in Mojave that caused two million dollars worth of damages. PHOTO: KCFD
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Welding is believed to be the cause of a six-story mining conveyor belt fire in Mojave that caused two million dollars worth of damages. Vibrating Screen Machine
The Kern County Fire Department said on December 13, 2023, at 9:13 p.m., firefighters were called to the Golden Queen Mining Facility, near Silver Queen Road, west of Highway 14 in Mojave, for a report of conveyor belts on fire.
KCFD said as Mojave Engine 14 arrived on scene, the firefighters were faced with a six-story tall conveyor belt system fully involved with fire.
According to KCFD, the rubbers, oils, hydraulic fluid, and flammable parts of the machinery were engulfed in flame and flames ran down the conveyor belts, threatening to further spread to connected sections of this giant machine.
KCFD said all workers were safe.
Firefighters immediately pulled hose lines and started containing the belt fires from spreading further down the system. Meanwhile, a large master stream from the fire engine’s deck gun was aimed six stories up, holding the fire on the upper level at bay, according to KCFD.
Fire crews utilized water from the facility’s fire water supply.
As the main body of fire was knocked down, crews took a hose line to the top of the burning conveyor and were able to cool heat deep within the system.
KCFD crews remained on scene to confirm complete fire extinguishment.
KCFD said Golden Queen personnel stated that while they had suffered 2 million dollars worth of fire damage, however firefighters saved about 130 million dollars worth of property.
No injuries were reported at this incident.
Magnetic Filter The cause of the fire as stated by the facility safety representative is due to welding.