NSW: Welding likely cause of massive ethanol tank fire

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-2004
NSW: Welding likely cause of massive ethanol tank fire

An investigation has found welding work done by sub-contractors was the likely trigger
of a giant blaze in a seven million litre ethanol tank near Wollongong.

The massive fire on January the 28th burned for 20 hours and was caused by an explosion
which blew the lid off an ethanol tank owned by Manildra Park Petroleum.

At its height, the inferno shot more than 100 metres into the air and a plume of black
smoke could be seen kilometres away.

The New South Wales Fire Brigades says preliminary findings have found the explosion
probably occurred as a result of welding.

It says welding maintenance under way just before the explosion may have sparked highly-flammable
vapours at the top of the ethanol tank.

AAP RTV ea/nf/wz/rt

KEYWORD: TANK (SYDNEY)

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