NFPA Data UPDATE on 11/13/12: The NFPA has updated their Loss calculations from the Magnablend fire, as well as some causes of the damage.
Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
October, 10:40 a.m., $20 million
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a one-story, 102,749-square-foot (9,546-square-meter) chemical manufacturing building of unprotected noncombustible construction. The plant was operating at the time.
Fire Protection Systems
There was no automatic detection system present. A wet -pipe sprinkler protected the building, but it was not effective. There was no fire pump in the system to help with waterflow, and it is believed that 30 or more sprinklers opened and flowed water when hydrogen gas was ignited. Upon arrival, firefighters pumped water into the sprinkler system, but the system failed altogether after about five minutes. No reason was given for the failure.
Fire Development
A chemical reaction in the mixing area during manufacturing allowed a hydrogen gas cloud to form. It was then ignited by an unknown source.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
Workers evacuated the plant before firefighters arrived. During the fire, barrels of mineral oil ignited and ruptured, causing a flowing fire that destroyed a fire department aerial tower unit. The aerial tower unit was extended and in operation at the time, and could not be moved quickly enough to save it. Firefighters operating in the bucket were lowered to the ground and evacuated before the tower caught fire. Eleven fire departments responded. Damage to the structure was listed at $10 million and damage to its contents at $10 million.
A massive fire at Magnablend in Waxahachie not only forced schoolchildren from a nearby school and sent a violet cloud of smoke and chemicals skyward, it has claimed a piece of Ennis’ firefighting gear. A truck manned by four firefighters from Ennis responding for a mutual aid request from Waxahachie was parked over an area where runoff from a compromised tank caught fire. Three firefighters on the truck, two in an aerial bucket arm and one on the pump station, escaped without injury, as did the fourth crewman who was some distance away from the vehicle. The truck was reportedly a total loss. Environmental agency authorities had already begun monitoring the chemical release at the site, the exact nature of which was uncertain. For more video footage click on the Read More link below.
These next two (2) videos demonstrate just how QUICKLY a flammable liquid fire can spread! Pay CLOSE ATTENTION to how the fire water run-off (more dense than the flammable liquid) spreads the flammable liquid fire by acting as a carrier for the flammable liquid. The flammable liquid floats on top of the water and the water just carries it where ever the water can flow.
Notice in the 2nd video below how the fire hose was acting as a temporary containment as the fire firghters were pulling the hose. You can also hear a contractor providing some insight as to what the facility makes and where the fire is occurring.
AFTERMATH video footage and photos
Click Here to see some news photos of the aftermath.