Dozens of grain trucks servicing the Viterra grain terminal at Gladstone in South Australia have had a narrow escape as fire menaced the area. Gladstone hosts one of the largest such terminals in the state and an estimated 750 hectares of crops and scrub were burnt there. “Viterra’s Gladstone site was evacuated by staff in line with our emergency evacuation process late on Tuesday afternoon due to a fire in the area,” Viterra Country Operations Manager Andrew Hannon says.
By Rob McKay | December 1, 2011
Dozens of grain trucks servicing the Viterra grain receival site at Gladstone in South Australia have had a narrow escape as fire menaced the area.
Gladstone hosts one of the largest such terminals in the state and an estimated 750 hectares of crops and scrub were burnt there.
“Viterra’s Gladstone site was evacuated by staff in line with our emergency evacuation process late on Tuesday afternoon due to a fire in the area,” Viterra Country Operations Manager Andrew Hannon says.
“The fire did breach the perimeter of the site and burnt some tarps and tyres in the area as well as reaching the edge of one grain bunker.
“Loss of equipment and grain is not known at the stage but is not expected to be significant.
“The site has reopened to grower receivals today.”
News reports quoted one local as saying more than 60 trucks sought to evacuate as agribusiness employees leapt in their cars to make an escape.
“Employees, carriers, growers and visitors at the site were immediately evacuated to a safe area and no one was injured,” Hannon sconfirms.
“Thanks to the quick actions of site staff, and with the assistance of drivers, the evacuation process was implemented smoothly and approximately 60-70 trucks were successfully evacuated from the site.”