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Invista Tank Explosion

 
Site Contact:
Kenneth Rhame
OSC

(rhame.kenneth@epa.gov)

Site Location:
Invista
4600 Hwy 421 N
Wilmington, NC 28401
 response.epa.gov/InvistaWilmingtonExplosion
NRC#: 942175

On the Morning of May 30th, 2010, EPA received a request from New Hanover County to investigate a fire and explosion that occurred at the Invista Wilmington Plant. Upon arrival, EPA met with Invista staff as well as the local Fire Dept. EPA learned that a fire and explosion did occur at approximately 4:40 am the morning of May 30th. The fire involved an above ground storage tank (T-6305). T-6305 contaied Dimethyl Terephthalate (DMT) at a temperature above 300 degrees Farenheit. The top of the tank had separated landing approximately 150 feet away. Vapors ignited and caught fire.


Damaged Tank Tank Farm Tank Explosion
For additional information, visit the Pollution/Situation Report (Pol/Sitreps) section.