| Issues | Comments |
| Situation | Chlorine release caused by leak of brine
from heat exchanger mixing with liquified
gas. Mixture created corrosive acid which
ate through pipes when product was
transferred from storage tank. Leak
increased as acid ate larger hole in pipe.
|
| Delayed Alarm | Plant employees believed they could contain
the leak. Fire Department notified by
passer-by who was unsure of source.
Response delayed until second call provided
additional information. Further delay
caused by long response distance and
several possible sources to check for hazmat
release. |
| Jurisdiction | Plant is located in Clark County island
surrounded by the City of Henderson.
Population at risk primarily in City.
Agencies work together effectively. |
| Injuries |
Firefighters and plant personnel overcome
when chlorine cloud moved in unexpected
direction. Command Post had to be
relocated three times to avoid moving cloud.
Some residents exposed during evacuation;
over 200 examined at hospitals; 30 admitted.
|
| Evacuation |
Citizens evacuated as leak continued to
expand and control efforts proved
unsuccessful. Approximately 700 people
taken to shelters; 2,000 to 7,000 taken
elsewhere. Police officers assisting with
evacuation and traffic control exposed to gas
cloud.
|
| Control Measures | Corroded valve allowed product to flow.
Fire Department HazMat Team and plant
personnel entered together to stop flow.
First attempt to stop flow by inserting blank
flange was unsuccessful; Teflon coated plate
had to be used because of rapid corrosion of
steel. |
| Extent of Leak | Approximately 70 tons of chlorine escaped.
Cloud dissipated with morning heat and
winds. |
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