EQ's Apex Plant Lacked Adequate Fire Prevention

Date: November 1, 2006

Source: News Room

Investigators are narrowing in on the cause of the blaze at EQ's warehouse in Apex NC that led to the evacuation of 17,000 residents on the night of October 5. According to the Chemical Safety Board, the fire did not rage out of control until it spread from the area where the company stored waste pool chemicals, cyanide sludge and other material. Evidently, the fire might have been contained had the facility been equipped with firewalls and other fire suppression devices according to the officials with the Board. Those officials say the facility was optimized for preventing spills rather than for fire prevention or suppression. Only a 6-inch curb at the warehouse separated oxides from the flammable wastes for example. EQ company spokesman Robert Doyle welcomed the investigation and said the company would support "additional measures that promote the safe and efficient operation of hazardous waste facilities..." He stressed that they operate in a highly regulated industry and know that they "must meet state requirements to do business."

The Environmental Quality Company: www.eqonline.com.

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