SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. – Multiple fire agencies responding to a fire in a towering concrete corn silo Wednesday afternoon.
Just after noon, Delmar, Laurel, and Salisbury Fire Departments arrived on scene to find smoke showing from the top of the structure. Personnel who had already been on scene informed firefighters that there had been a small explosion.
Crews ascended to a catwalk to take a look at the situation, while Laurel deployed its tower truck. Additionally, Salisbury’s ladder truck was requested because of the size of the structure. However, the silos were too tall for either truck to reach.
Selbyville Fire Department was called in, in order to deploy its 1150-foot tower truck. While waiting for that crew to arrive, firefighters entered the bottom of the structure to remove burnt product. When Selbyville Fire arrived, they were able to reach the top of the bin and douse the fire. Crews also rinsed smoldering corn off of the side of the structure to prevent any further flare-ups.
Crews remained on scene for just shy of six hours. Hebron, Sharptown, Gumboro, and Bridgeville Fire Departments also assisted with the response.