Incident Report

Subject:             UK - Oil Terminal Fire: Crews Tackle Diesel Storage Tank Fire      

Date of Email report:   Tue 30/04/2013 08:03

Report Detail:

Fire-fighters from across Essex were sent to deal with the blaze

Sixty fire-fighters have been dealing with a fire at an Essex oil terminal involving a diesel storage tank. The tank was empty but fire-fighters said they had "launched a major foam attack" at the Vopak Terminal in West Thurrock. Twelve fire engines were sent to tackle the blaze, which began at about 15:30 BST. No-one was hurt or evacuated. Fifteen fire-fighters remained at the site to monitor the situation during the evening. Essex Fire and Rescue Service said the fire in a seal of one of the tanks had automatically set off Vopak's foam fire extinguishers.  "Fire fighting operations ran smoothly today since crews had only recently been on site training alongside Vopak colleagues for an incident of this kind," it added.

The fire proved to be a fire addressed with foam hand line.

Additional Documentation:

Fire crews successful in tackling fire at Vopak, West Thurrock - Date posted: 29-04-2013

Update 18:38hrs: Crews remain at the incident monitoring the situation and steady progress is being made.

Update: Crews dealt with the incident by 19:33hrs.

Vopak Terminals UK have issued the following statement:

Ian Cochrane, Managing Director of Vopak Terminals UK, said: “We have had a fire during maintenance work on what I have to stress was an empty tank. No oil products were on fire , the smouldering materials were extinguished promptly.

“Safety is a high priority for us and our procedures worked smoothly.

“I would like to thank local emergency for their fast and very reassuring response.”

Update: 1745hrs

Divisional Officer Neil Fenwick reports:

“Crews wearing breathing apparatus and using a foam branch have been tackling the fire in the rim seal on the roof of the storage container.

“The work of the fire crews and the deluge systems within the tank contained the fire and it has been contained to the one storage tank which did not contain any product and was empty, the tank has been under maintenance.”

16:45 hrs:

Assistant Divisional Officer Mark Turnbull reports that crews are using a covering jet to extinguish the fire in the rim seal of the tank.

Time 1625 hrs

The incident commander is currently assessing levels of resources.

It is likely that appliances may be turned back.

There are no reported casualties and no-one has been evacuated at this stage.

Time:15:32 hrs

TWELVE FIRE Crews are tackling an incident involving a diesel storage tank in the Vopak terminal in Oliver Road, West Thurrock. The tank involved is empty but was used to store diesel. Firefighters have launched a major foam attack.

Appliances from across the county have been sent to the scene. 12 pumps, some 60 firefighters, along with specialist appliances carrying foam and hose are part of the pre-determined attendance to this type of site. An aerial ladder, rescue tender and incident command unit have also been sent to the scene.