SHEBOYGAN – The city has always been known for its furniture industry. On April 19, 1982, an epic explosion at the Thonet plant, sparked by sawdust, leveled the plant.
The Sheboygan County Historical Research Center said the boiler used to fire the dry kilns and supply heat throughout the plant was, at times, natural gas fired. But, at other times, the gas was shut down and the boiler was converted to using either sawdust or wood scrap as a fuel source. A perfect storm for an explosion and the ensuing fire was created. Negative back pressure sucked flames into the air system of the building and traveled quickly to all parts of the complex.
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Employees said the explosion shook the whole place. It was reported that the inferno was like a big wind, like a tornado, nearly blowing them out of the doors of the plant. Windows on the first floor were shattered. There were reports that smoke could be seen as far away as Milwaukee. Many employees rescued finished furniture from the blaze. Nine employees were injured.