Massive fire in Springfield poses environmental threat
Baku, April 20 (AZERTAC). A massive blaze at an oil company in Springfield took firefighters six hours to get under control Thursday and will require an extensive environmental cleanup. The blaze produced flames that shot 200 feet up, black smoke could be seen as far away as Dayton and Butler County, and the plume even showed up on weather radar.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. After about 45 minutes, firefighters ordered first responders and company employees back as the blaze spread. Transformers exploded and electric lines fell on the scene about 12:45 p.m., forcing firefighters back even more. And as the fire spread, the building began to collapse.
Some oil was found in the tributary near the facility. Michelle Simmons, environmental manager for the Dayton Water Department, said her department recommended the Mad River intakes closed overnight as a precaution, even though the Ohio EPA does not expect any impact to the Mad River surface water from runoff.
Nick Heimlich, chief of the Springfield Fire Rescue Division, said firefighters have to be aware of numerous risks when fighting a fire of Thursday`s magnitude. The chemicals can seep into the clothes and skin of first responders, contaminate the air, and when mixed with water can create slurry that will create an environmental hazard as it seeps into streams and waterways. It is not like fighting a typical fire. Some surrounding homes were evacuated and people with farm animals had been advised to keep them away.
As crews worked to keep a steady supply of water handy, officials remained concerned about the potential for explosions. There were countless large explosions during the first several hours of the fire — a large boom followed by a ball of flame and a heat wave that spread across the area.
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