Fire Chief says "ambulance crew attentive observation prevented a real tragedy."

Video of a dramatic collapse of a huge concrete grain bin in the Village of Martinton has gone viral.  And while the Iroquois County community cleans up a mess, the town's fire chief says a very observant ambulance crew prevented what could have been so, so much worse.  The bin collapse took out nearby power lines, knocking out service to many local customers and forces farmers to deliver their products to Donovan Farmers Co-op's other locations.  Ameran Illinois worked into the early morning (Thursday) to get electrical service back online.

Martinton Fire Chief Jeff Meyer said he was notified of a bulge in the silo by an ambulance crew responding to the elevator for an unrelated medical matter.  An ambulance worker was within eyesight of the bulging silo, a trickle of grain falling from the concrete structure. Recognizing the potential life safety situation, that ambulance employee notified the fire chief.  Chief Meyer then requested his Martinton Fire personnel and other departments.  The fire crews then further identified the situation, monitored the area, evacuated employees and prepared for the demise of the concrete structure.

Within a couple of hours, just before 1 pm (Wednesday, October 15)...the grain shifted, the silo crumbled, and as it landed 30,000 bushels of beans spilled and took out power to the Martinton community.  Amazing result -- left no one injured. 

Chief Jeff Meyer said afterward, "I am extremely grateful to the ambulance crew for bringing this sitation to my attention. Throughout this ordeal no injuries were reported."   

Ameren Illinois quickly replaced power poles and restored service to Martinton.  Donovan Farmers Co-op is cleaning up. The Iroquois County EMA assisted in keeping people informed and updated.  And another well-recognized effort of what mutual aid is all about -- Eastern Illinois Mutual Aid Fire Association responding !

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