One of the most challenging problems facing the fire service today is the combined fire and hazardous/toxic chemical incident. Decisions have to be made regarding the timing of fire fighting activities with respect to evacuation priorities. In many cases, a decision must be made as to whether or not to fight the fire at all. Where the chemicals or products involved are water reactive, fighting the fire may make matters worse, endangering the firefighters or the general population.
Just such a situation presented itself to Chief Raymond Sullivan of the Springfield, Massachusetts Fire Department and the city's hazardous materials incident response team on Friday, June 17, 1988.
The incident occurred in that part of an 87-year-old industrial building housing a company that produced water treatment chemicals for swimming pools. Rain leakage wetted chemicals that released chlorine along with sufficient heat to cause ignition of ordinary combustibles. In the course of the incident, large amounts of chlorine gas were released, triggering several levels of evacuation involving more than 6,000 people.
The fire resulted in the collapse of a portion of the roof. The fire and corrosive action of the chlorine gas resulted in almost complete loss of the contents of both floors and caused significant structural damage prompting razing of the second floor. At the time this report was written it was not known whether the building would be reoccupied.
During the incident, which lasted 31 days, 11 of the city's 13 engine companies were involved and over six million gallons of water used to extinguish the fire and to wet down the scene sufficiently for the chemicals to be removed and neutralized. It is estimated that 65 tons of neutralizing chemicals were employed.
Over 100 buses and 35 ambulances participated in the evacuation of the areas affected by the chlorine. Forty firefighters and approximately 275 civilians were treated for chlorine exposure at local hospitals and released. Principal means of exposure to firefighters was inhalation when changing breathing apparatus. Some firefighters received chemical burns on exposed skin and through turnout gear, especially when perspiring. Total dollar loss to the structure and contents was estimated to be over $2 million. costs from overtime and chlorine damage to fire department equipment are expected to exceed $500,000, and the cost to the city is estimated to approach an additional $700,000.
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