05.02.2010 

Three workers have lost their lives in the explosion of a thermal oil boiler at the Brilon chipboard plant in North Rhine-Westphalia on Friday, 5th February 2010.

Company management has informed the families of the deceased employees about the accident, expressed its condolences and pledged its support. The employees were aged 21, 59 and 62 years. Psychological and pastoral support was offered to a dozen employees.

The accident occurred in the biomass heating plant on the premises of the Sauerland wood-based material manufacturer. A replacement boiler, which had been approved by a certified company on Thursday of this week, exploded. The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation.EGGER is fully supporting these investigations.

A fire in the facility where the boiler was installed resulted from the explosion. Emergency workers were able to extinguish the fire within 90 minutes. An estimate of total property damage cannot be made at this time. The explosion occurred shortly after 2:00 pm. 47 fire-fighters were deployed in the subsequent large-scale operation by the fire brigade. 30 police officers were also on site and blocked off the surrounding streets to traffic. According to company management, there never was any danger to other areas of the plant, adjacent properties or the environment.

Around 1,000 people are employed at the Brilon plant. The plant produces timber, chipboard and laminate flooring. Erected in 1990, the plant is one of six German plants of the EGGER Group with its registered office in St. Johann in Tirol, Austria.

Press Release