It was a close call of a huge disaster being avoided thanks to the superb work of our local fire fighters yesterday (Sun 23) at the Sol Fuel Distribution Centre on South Church Street.

I cannot imagine the concern the technician must have been having when he alerted 911 at 4.43 p.m. that smoke was coming from a fuel tank.

And then the bravery of the firefighters in containing and finally putting out the fire.

The worry of the residents that had to be evacuated must have been traumatic. I know there was trauma as I was with some of these endangered residents, most elderly, when the news came.

My phone was ringing continually from worried persons hoping I had more news than they were getting from the published media. Like all of our media here we were putting everything up on our websites as soon as we received it. Most of us knew people who lived within the 1mile (later half mile) evacuation area and we were just as concerned.

Fire Chief David Hails said no one was injured and commended the response efforts that were made by all emergency services personnel, and applauded the “fire officers who fought hard under challenging circumstances to extinguish the fire and keep the public safe”.

“The aggressive firefighting tactics involved firefighters standing on top of the tank knowing it was on fire and that it could spread at any moment, the outstanding commitment and bravery they displayed should not go unnoticed,” he added.

Many people have queried why the tanks were built above ground (ASTs) and not underground and why in a high residential area?

To answer the second question first. The tanks were there before the residential development. In fact if the residential development had not been allowed this was the area that would have been the best to have built the cruise terminal.

Hindsight.

And why were they built above ground?

Because they’re easier and less expensive to install, and they’re certainly easier to monitor since you can see them.

However, their very nature ASTs can create significant workplace dangers.

That’s why above ground storage tank containment systems and procedures are critically important.

But the hazards associated with above ground storage tanks can also potentially harm the natural environment — air, soil and groundwater – contaminating drinking water for humans and rendering streams and rivers toxic for wildlife.
See http://walden-assoc.com/environmental-services-blog/above-ground-storage-tank/5-workplace-dangers-caused-ground-storage-tank-containment

The enquiry that will be executed now will be concentrated on how it happened and what should or could have been done to have stopped it happening. Were all the safety precautions executed and are the ones there adequate?

We should note that I cannot remember an incident requiring evacuation of residents at either of our fuel terminals. Is this because our safety precautions are adequate or have we been lucky?

Poor above ground storage tank containment can cause the workplace to be unsafe.

This incident might be a blessing in disguise. No one was hurt.

Now we will see how the whole workplace can be made safer for everyone there and everyone living within a mile radius of the area.