At approximately 1:08 a.m. CST on 9th September there was an explosion followed by a fire in one of the plant’s sub-units.
The plant’s fire suppression system was immediately activated. All personnel were accounted for without any injuries.
Mobile Fire and Rescue were called in for assistance and responded immediately.
All process flows into the unit were immediately isolated and the remaining units in the plant were brought to a safe idle condition.
As a result of the first fire there was a second explosion in the same sub-unit at approximately 1:45 a.m.
The fire was contained to the area of this sub-unit and there have been no off-site releases of material other than the normal combustion products from the fire.
Mobile Fire and Rescue with the assistance of our incident commander decided to allow the fire to burn itself out as it presented no further danger. By 5:00 a.m. the fire was contained to a very small area of pooled material.
The entire company is diligently and rapidly working to assess the extent of the damage and we have immediately commenced an investigation into the underlying cause of the incident.
Contact in the event of queries:
Dr. Peter Bickert
CEO
INEOS Phenol
"Explosion and Fire at Ineos Phenol Plant at Mobile, Alabama"
