Street, Tracks Reopen After Silo Explosions

A street and train tracks that were closed by explosions at a pair of grain silos have been reopened, fire officials said Sunday.

Investigators think the blasts, which did not injure anyone, were caused by mechanical friction or an electrical short that ignited dust from the grain. They were still trying to pin down the exact cause.

The damage to the silos was fairly extensive, but a damage estimate was not immediately available, said Tacoma Fire Capt. Gary Schiesz.

The incident about 4:45 a.m. Saturday did not appear to be intentional, he added.

Investigators believe the explosion happened in a building adjacent to the silos called the “head house.” The force of the blasts shattered windows, twisted pipes and caused sections made of concrete to collapse.

It also ripped a hole in the silos’ roof and peeled back metal sheeting.