Damage description: Significant damage to the boiler room and all adjoining walls/rooms and area. Extensive damage to the west wall of the plant on Acton Pl. through the street. Damage was also noted to the adjacent building located at 390 E. King St. This complex housed several retail establishments. Damage was also noted to several surrounding homes from blast debris.
ADDITIONAL REMARKS
I responded as the on-duty Fire Marshal (VA Title 27-30) to a reported explosion at the above address. Fire crews were actively working to contain multiple hazards on my arrival, and this work continued throughout the day until these hazards were contained and the area made safe. My initial on-scene investigation was conducted under exigent circumstances (Michigan v. Tyler), and I gained permission from Valley Milk Management to conduct the investigation.
The initial investigation found an obvious explosion from a large commercial steam boiler in the boiler room. All state-required inspections had been performed, and I was able to locate the most recent boiler inspection plate on the boiler showing it complied. I was also able to locate several pages of the daily maintenance log maintained by employees for the boiler – the documents found indicated they had been maintaining the boiler as required.
Both EPA and VA State Boiler agents were used to assist in this part of the investigation. All indications, evidence found at the scene, scene exam, and expert opinion assisting indicated a low-water steam explosion had occurred. This occurs when the boiler DOES NOT have the required level of water to convert to steam, causing the boiler to heat up. Most likely, there was an influx of water into the boiler, causing a rapid steam expansion and subsequent explosion.
Areas around the plant were canvased for video, and multiple interviews were conducted with employees throughout the next few days. Several other site visits were also conducted with a variety of other experts in the boiler field. A subsequent Fire Inspection was conducted, and a violation notice was sent. The plant is actively working on correcting these violations, and reinspection will be conducted periodically as the plant rebuilds and reopens.
Representatives from the plant’s multiple insurance agencies, safety personnel, and management all agreed to hold and maintain evidence from the boiler for further testing. At this time, there is no indication of criminal activity or intentional negligence. This investigation remains active and open as there are still outstanding violations that will be rechecked and corrected, as well as multiple other agencies involved with this investigation.
The PROBABLE cause of this explosion is a steam explosion caused by a rapid influx of water immediately after a period of low-water heating. The reason exactly is unknown. Cause: UNDETERMINED.
XXXXXXXX, Assistant Fire Marshal
