According to a statement issued by O.Z. Tyler Distillery, shortly after midnight Monday morning, the northwest quadrant a barrel storage warehouse, known as Rickhouse H, collapsed.
No employees were in the vicinity and no additional damage occurred to either the distillery or neighboring properties.
“Thankfully there were no injuries,” said Master Distiller Jacob Call.
Call and local authorities immediately arrived on site to assess the situation, including representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency. To date these experts have concluded that no environmental damage has occurred.
“I’m sure the storm had something to do with it,” Call said.
The statement said that 19,400 barrels are stored in Rickhouse H. The quadrant of the warehouse that collapsed contained approximately 4,500 barrels. Only a small fraction appear to have damage, the statement said.
“Thankfully barrels are tough,” Call said.
A team of structural engineers is currently on site to assess the structural integrity of the building. In addition, a recovery plan for the affected area and all barrels in the warehouse is underway.
