130,000 GALLON TANK WITH
7,000 GALLONS OF ASPHALT EXPLODED IN LA CROSSE, WI ON NOVEMBER 29 2014. 1
PERSON INJURED IN EXPLOSION. FUMES FROM
TANK HEATING AND IMPROPER WORK PROCEDURES CAUSED THE EXPLOSION
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) -
The cause of an early Wednesday morning explosion at Midwest
Fuels on Sumner St., near Copeland Park in La Crosse is under investigation.
8 people were working at the time of the
explosion
3 of the 7 tanks on the ground were empty
The tank that exploded was a 132,000 gallon tank, about 40 feet
high and 24-feet in diameter.
The tank that exploded had 7,000 gallons of asphalt that is
stored at 200-degrees to keep it liquid,
The roof blew off of the exploding tank and landed on the north
side of Midwest Fuels' grounds.
The explosion happened just before 7 a.m. La Crosse residents
around the area told News 8 it shook their homes. Emergency crews contained the
fire at about 8:30 a.m. and a Shelter in Place order that had been issued
was canceled.
Tri-State Ambulance said one person was transported to a local
hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. La Crosse firefighters told News 8
male worker, who has not been identified, was treated and released for burn
related injuries. Firefighters were not injured.
When crews arrived on scene, they found one fuel tank
completely engulfed and were worried it would spread to other tanks.
"Not only are we going to deal with the situation that is
at hand right here, but we have to think about step two, step three and what
could possibly happen if things get worse," said Chief Gregg Cleveland
with the La Crosse Fire Department.
Cleveland put his action plan into place by calling in
emergency crews from surrounding areas. Cleveland said it was important to stay
one step ahead of the disaster.
"We don't want to get behind the eight ball on these types
of things because it's very critical to have a planning section set up and to
make sure we anticipate what might happen," said Cleveland.
With 26 firefighters, 12 responding units and three supporting
agencies, it took crews about an hour and a half to get the explosion under
control. Cleveland said first responders and the public played major roles in
helping distinguish the fire in a safe manner.
"We do have a pretty good network and good communications.
Logistically we were in pretty good shape," said Cleveland.
At a late-morning news conference, Midwest Fuels said eight
people were working at the time of the explosion. Three of the seven tanks on
the ground were empty. The one tank that exploded was about 40 feet high and
24-feet in diameter. It was a 132,000 gallon tank, but only had 7,000 gallons
of asphalt that is stored at 200-degrees to keep it liquid, Midwest Fuels told
News 8.
The roof blew off of the tank and landed on the northside of
Midwest Fuels' grounds. The company has a crew that is taking care of the
cleanup from the explosion.
The La Crosse Fire Department said firefighters at Station 2
noticed thick black smoke northwest of the station and self-dispatched to the
area. La Crosse Fire Chief Gregg Cleveland said crews were able to stop the
runoff of chemicals and contain it to one tank. He said the tank had a mixture
of 70-percent asphalt and 30-percent diesel.
Midwest Fuels said an environmental specialist that they work
with said except for the possibility of runoff of water used to put out the
fire, there is no cause for concern about long-term environmental impact.
People may have a slight headache or sore throat because of the fumes, but
nothing long-lasting.
The 600 and 700 block of Sumner St. and the 300 blocks of Hagar
St. were closed to traffic for most of the day.
The La Crosse Fire Department had issued a "Shelter in
Place" order in the area between the La Crosse River north to Clinton
Street, and from the Black River east to George Street. At about 8:20 a.m., La
Crosse County Dispatch said the Shelter in Place order was canceled.
The La Crosse Fire Department said a "Shelter in
Place" order means: "A warning of an event where the public is
recommended to shelter in place (go inside, close doors and windows, turn off
air conditioning or heating systems, and turn on the radio or TV for more
information). Examples include the release of hazardous materials where toxic
fumes or radioactivity may affect designated areas."
In an email to parents in the School District of La Crosse,
Superintendent Randy Nelson said district administrators were "working
diligently to monitor and address potential safety issues for our staff and
students" after the explosion was reported. School will go on as scheduled
and children are safe.
"As a continued precaution, however, we will be limiting
outdoor activity today at Northside Elementary, Summit Elementary, and Logan
Middle School," Nelson wrote.
