LibGuides: Ethanol and the Fire Service: Ethanol Incidents

Fire Fighter News Sources

These are good sources for news relevant to fire fighters, including learning about recent incidents.

Firehouse
Monthly magazine for fire service personnel with a website with daily news updates.
Firefighter Close Calls
Website run by firefighters that reports fire fighter injuries and LODDs in order to promote firefighter safety.
Industrial Fire World
Quarterly magazine with website with news and daily industrial incident reports.

Cherry Valley and Rockford, IL Derailment

June 19, 2009, a freight train derailed at a rail crossing in Cherry Valley, IL. 19 cars derailed, all of which contained ethanol; 13 of the cars released ethanol, which ignited and burned. One person in a car stopped at the rail crossing was killed in the resulting fire, and 600 homes in the area were evacuated.

Within minutes of the initial explosion, witnesses comment on the fire. Around 4:25 into the video, they are ordered to evacuate, and they drive to a safer location, warning neighbors along the way. Video by Rachel and Rebekah Rawson, Rawson Photography LLC.

NTSB report--Derailment of CN Freight Train U70691-18 with Subsequent Hazardous Materials Release and Fire
Lengthy report by National Transportation Safety Board describes and analyzes the accident, its causes, emergency response to it, and its environmental effects. The report concludes that the accident was caused by a washout of the track structure due to inadequate storm water drainage. Because of Canada North (the railroad company)'s inadequate emergency communications procedures, the train crew was not told of the washout, nor were they warned of the flash flood conditions. The release of hazardous materials was compounded by the tanker cars' design; newer cars have enhanced safety features that could have reduced the magnitude of the release. The NTSB also found that there was a pipeline several feet below the collision site; the outer casing was damaged, but the pipeline was not ruptured.
Huge blaze leaves 1 dead after CN train derails near Chicago
June 20, 2009 CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) reports on the derailment.
Woman killed fleeing train derailment, blast near Rockford
June 20, 2009 Associated Press article in Bloomington, IL Pantagraph reports the derailment.
EPA update: Rockford freight train derailment and Rock River fish kill
June 26, 2009 EPA Press Release describes environmental monitoring and cleanup after the derailment.
2009 Cherry Valley Train Derailment
February 12, 2012 Chicago Tribune announces the release of the NTSB report. Includes photos of the fire and the derailed cars after the fire was extinguished.
On the Job: Illinois Hazmat Train Derails and Burns in Cherry Valley (article)
May 2010 Firehouse magazine discusses emergency response to train derailment and ethanol fire in Cherry Valley, IL, including lessons learned. This is a link to the IFSI library catalog; to request the item from the library, click on "Add to Request Bin" and fill out the request form. Note that the same link appears in the Library Resources box on this guide's homepage.
Mutual aid at derailment (article)
Winter 2009--In Crisis Response magazine, Cherry Valley Fire Protection District Chief Craig Wilt describes emergency response to the June 19, 2009 derailment and fire near Cherry Valley, IL.

This article is not available online; please contact the IFSI library via phone, email, or in person if interested. Note that this same article appears in the "Library Resources" box on this guide's homepage.
NTSB issues final report on 2009 Cherry Valley train wreck
Article describing the final report and 15 safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board. Includes a photo of the train wreck.

Columbus, OH Rail Fire

On July 11, 2012, tanker cars carrying ethanol derailed near a Columbus, Ohio neighborhood.

This breaking news video from CNN shows the fire burning. At the time, the material the cars were carrying was unknown.

Video from the Columbus Dispatch. This video discusses the cleanup effort and includes a description and video of the fire.

Federal transportation inspectors arrive at train derailment scene
The Columbus Dispatch reports on the incident.
Trains Bring Dangerous Loads to Cities
The Columbus Dispatch reflects on hazardous materials transport through cities.
Bill from Train Blast almost $900,000
A year after the derailment, COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) and first responders as well as those with damaged property continue seek payment from Norfolk Southern.
Investigation of a Columbus, Ohio train derailment caused by fractured rail
Research article that detail the on-scene response and failure analysis performed by the NTSB Materials Laboratory.

New Brighton, PA Derailment

NTSB Report--Derailment of Norfolk Southern Railway Company Train 68QB119 with Release of Hazardous Materials and Fire
Lengthy report by National Transportation Safety Board describes and analyzes the accident, its causes, emergency response to it, and its environmental effects. The report concludes that the derailment was caused by a rail fracture, which Norfolk Southern Railway Company failed to detect. NTSB deemed NS's inspection and maintenance program to be inadequate, and also stated that the Federal Railroad Administration had not provided adequate oversight.

October 20, 2006, a freight train derailed while crossing the Beaver River bridge in New Brighton, Pennsylvania. 23 tank cars derailed, all of which contained ethanol; 20 of the cars released ethanol, which ignited and burned. Some of the ethanol was released into the river. Residences in the surrounding area were evacuated.

Witnesses watch and comment on the fire. Video by Youtube user aldalote, Merry Cranberry Production.

Tanker Cars Burn in New Brighton
October 21, 2006 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette describes the derailment and evacuation.
Massive Rail Cleanup in New Brighton
October 22, 2006 The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports on cleanup efforts.

Tiskilwa, IL rail fire

October 7, 2011, in Tiskilwa, Illinois, 26 cars derailed, some of which were carrying ethanol.

Illinois Train Derailment Prompts Evacuations
CNN.com reports the accident.
Small town lit up by explosive early morning train derailment
Chicago Tribune discusses accident with Tiskilwa residents.
Crews start moving derailed train cars as inspectors investigate Tiskilwa accident site
Chicago Tribune reports the cleanup.
Ethanol plants aid firefight in Illinois train derailment
Ethanol Producer Magazine reports that local ethanol plants provided foam to emergency responders.
Excavation Hazard Notice
EPA warns against digging around site due to explosion hazard and contaminated groundwater.

Baltimore Tanker Truck Fire

May 13, 2007, a tanker truck carrying ethanol overturned on an interstate ramp. The truck burned, and ethanol drained from bridge to street below, igniting several parked cars.

Inferno on Roadway
Baltimore Sun reports on accident and speaks with people who witnessed the fire.
Ramp Called Safe to Open
Baltimore Sun reports on the aftermath.
Baltimore Overpass Fire (video)
Video by Youtube user tomannapolis shows fire from the street below.

Arcadia, OH Derailment

Train Blasts Spark Evacuations in Hancock County
February 7, 2011--The Toledo Blade reports on the derailment and evacuation.

February 7, 2011, a train derailed in Cass Township, just west of Arcadia, Ohio. 26 cars carrying ethanol derailed, 10 of which burned.

WUPW Fox Toledo discusses the incident and speaks with fire chiefs and residents about the fire.

Clean-up begins after ethanol train derailment
Ethanol Producer Magazine describes cleanup from industry perspective.
Norfolk Southern track reopened after fire burns out
Toledo Blade reports that track has been cleared and reopened and speaks with a Norfolk Southern representative.
Ohio train fire contained after explosion
Associated Press story published by USA Today describes the derailment.

Port Kembla Ethanol Tank Fire

Workers flee ethanol explosion
The Sidney Morning Herald reports the incident.

January 28, 2004, ethanol in a 7 million liter storage tank in Port Kembla, Australia ignited, blowing off the roof of the tank and producing 50 meter high flames.

NSW Fire Brigades Fire News--March 2004
Cover image of tank fire. Article beginning on page 2 describes emergency response; written by and for firefighters, so very useful perspective. Includes many pictures.

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Ethanol Plant Explosions

Archer Daniels Midland
Peoria, Illinois
January 9, 2013

A number of fires have occured at ethanol plants. This is not a complete list.

Lincolnway Energy
Nevada, Iowa
November 7, 2011
Southwest Georgia Ethanol, LLC, a FUEL Company
Pelham, Georgia
September 15, 2011
Abengoa Bioenergy of Illinois
Madison, Illinois
April 11, 2011
Bushwater Ethanol Plant
Attwater, Minnesota
November 4, 2010
Appomatox Bio Energy Plant
Hopewell, Virginia
September 8, 2010
Badger State Ethanol Plant
Monroe, Wisconsin
January 19, 2009
Great Plains Ethanol
Chancellor, South Dakota
March 14, 2004
Chippewa Valley Ethanol Co.
Benson, Minnesota
October 22, 2003
Midwest Grian Products
Atchison, Kansas
September 14, 2002