Mechanical failure ruled as cause of fire

A mechanical failure of equipment could not be ruled out as the cause of the Francesville elevator explosion that injured two local men on Sept. 26. 
According to Monon Deputy Town Marshal Robert Hickman, who was acting on behalf of the Francesville Police Department, “a catastrophic failure of the downward leg of the north pit of the silo” created a spark that caused the dust explosion.  
The Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office investigated the explosion at the Tate & Lyle Grain Inc. elevator and concluded that it was accidental in nature. 
Police have also released the name of the two men, Glenn Tiede and Timothy Reidelbach, who were burned from the explosion. Tiede has worked for the elevator for nearly as long as he has been a Francesville volunteer firefighter, about 40 years. Reidelbach, of Winamac, was the truck driver, who was injured.
Francesville Fire Chief Lance Gutwein said holes at the top of the silos the size of manholes allowed for firefighters to douse the corn. Two of the silos were filled with water before the corn was dumped from the silo. 
Gutwein said it was decided that the corn would be soaked before it was emptied to decrease the chances of an additional explosion from the corn dust. 
The elevator is located on the south side of town at the intersection of Bill and Lyman streets. Neighbors of the elevator reported hearing the explosion and feeling the ground shake. Some reported hearing two blasts.