On January 6, 2004, an explosion occurred at the Detco Chemical Company in Conway, Arkansas. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but believed to be an accident.
An evacuation within ½ mile of the facility is ongoing as of 1400 hrs CST and Interstate 40 is currently shutdown. Two injuries have been reported, one serious and one minor. The chemicals of concern include hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid and multiple cleaning fluids (TCE, PCE, DCE).
EPA mobilized an OSC and Superfund Technical Assessment Response Team (START) contractors to the site. Initial reports from State officials indicate the Governor of Arkansas may activate a Civil Support Team (CST) to respond to the site as well.
OSC Mason and START contractors arrived on scene at approximately 1900 hours.
Initial meetings were held with Incident Command, which included Conway Fire department, Arkansas DEQ, Arkansas DEM, PRP, local emergency management, 61st Civil Support Team and PRP remediation and monitoring/sampling contractors (CTEH, Hulcher Services, Mallard Environmental).
By 1900 hours, fire was fully contained. Businesses along US Highway 65B continued to be closed, as well as the highway. An evacuation of a nearby trailer park continued.
CST personnel, as well as CTEH, continued with air monitoring. CST used GC/MS, draeger tubes, MultiRae. CTEH also deployed particulate monitors/samplers and colormetric tubes.
CTEH, Mallard, and AR DEQ pulled water samples from fire run-off within the creek.
Two temporary dams were contstructed by city personnel 1-1/2 and 2 miles downstream from facility.
One injured employee is now listed as critical, while other sustained only minor injuries.
OSHA investigators from Area office on site and will return in morning of 01/07/04.
Initial explosion believed to have occurred in aerosol packaging area, and all indictations point to an accident.
CST briefed Incident Command at approximately 2030 on monitoring results. Both CST and CTEH reported no elevated readings for acid gases, phosgene, or other toxic byproducts. Expected levels of comubustion products were detected (CO, VOCs)
At that time, recommendation was made to Incident Command to lift evacuation of surrounding businesses and opening of highway. Residents of trailer park will be allowed back in the morning of 01/06/04.
PRP contractors will continue to provide air monitoring support and water sampling of the fire run-off.
Conway Fire department will continue to cool site with fire water throughout the night of 01/05/04.
Conway Fire department will enter building in morning of 01/07/04 to extinguish any potential fires covered by falling debris.
CTEH will continue air monitoring throughout 01/07/04.
OSC and START contractors will continue oversight of PRP actions and support of local fire department actions.
Water pretreatment and disposal will be monitored by AR DEQ personnel.
START will coordinate PRP led remediation contractors on proposed plan on 01/07/04.
EPA / START will perform emergency response review with local officials and PRP on 01/08/04.
None at this time.
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