A fire in a feed silo caused minimal damage but gave firefighters pause out of concern that if they made a mistake it could ignite an explosion.

Just after 4 p.m. Tuesday, firefighters in Augusta were called to Phoenix Feeds on Dalton Road for a reported fire in a silo. The business, which sits along the railroad tracks on the east of the Kennebec River, distributes animal feeds and its property is dotted with several large silos that store the company’s products.

Augusta fire Chief David Groder said firefighters paused to contemplate how to extinguish the fire, which was smoldering inside the metal silo. They have seen and heard of silos exploding in other areas, as dust trapped inside ignites. He was also concerned if they cut a large hole in the silo to get at the fire, the influx of air could make the flames flare up.

“It was an intense operation, I’d never dealt with anything like that in my 38 years in the city, nor had any other members here,” Groder said. “We were in fear we might do something wrong. But we were able to mitigate the situation with minimal damage, and no injuries to employees or staff.”

Groder said after consideration, firefighters cut a side of the silo open a bit to lower the level of product inside. They also applied water to keep the unit cooled as they drained and cleaned it out.

Groder said other silos weren’t damaged and the business should be able to continue, minus the damaged silo that will need repairs.

Groder said the fire started due to welding going on above the silo that heated up dust that fell into the feed material inside.

Firefighters were on the scene for nearly three hours.

Firefighters from Vassalboro, Hallowell and Chelsea responded to a call for mutual aid, to cover Augusta’s fire stations during the fire.

The property, a former Blue Seal Feeds operation, was acquired by Phoenix Feeds in 2023, according to city tax records.