Selected Large-Loss Fires and Explosions in 2019
MANUFACTURING
Texas
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
November, 1:02 a.m., $1.1 billion
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a one-story, 840,000-square-foot (78,039-square-meter) petrochemical manufacturing plant. The plant was in operation.
Fire Protection Systems
No information was reported on detection equipment. There was a wet-pipe sprinkler system present, but no information was reported on coverage or operation.
Fire Development
No cause or origin was reported.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
There were two major explosions during this incident and several smaller explosions. Large area evacuations were performed. One firefighter and two civilians were injured. The loss was estimated at $800 million to the structure and infrastructure and $300 million to the contents.
Tennessee
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
September, 10:11 a.m., $20,450,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a one-story, 15,720-square-foot (1,460-square-meter) metal refining plant of protected combustible construction.
Fire Protection Systems
There was no automatic detection or suppression equipment present.
Fire Development
The fire started when supplies were left too close to an incinerator that was in use at the time.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
The loss was estimated at $450,000 to the structure and $20 million to the contents.
Massachusetts
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
March, 3:01 p.m., $20,000,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a one- and two-story casket manufacturing plant of mixed construction. The plant was in operation at the time. The ground floor area was not reported.
Fire Protection Systems
No information was reported.
Fire Development
No information was reported.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
This wind-driven fire broke out in an area of the building at the end of a water main system with low flow and low pressure. Firefighters supplemented the supply and pressure for the main. Three firefighters and two police officers were injured.
Georgia
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
September, 1:20 a.m., $12,000,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a two- and three-story adhesives manufacturing plant of mixed construction. The floor area was not reported. The business was operating at the time with 10 workers in the building.
Fire Protection Systems
There was no information reported.
Fire Development
Media reports indicated that the fire department believed an equipment failure caused the fire, though the type and kind of equipment were not reported. An explosion occurred during the fire.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
Arriving firefighters found the structure fully involved with fire. The local area was evacuated due to burning chemicals. One worker was injured.
Texas
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
June, 4:54 p.m., $10,000,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a two-story vehicle assembly plant of unprotected, noncombustible construction. The ground floor area was 196,755 square-feet (18,279 square-meters). The fire involved a 1,000-square-foot (93-square-meter) test cell.
Fire Protection Systems
There was an unknown type of detection system present that operated. The coverage was not reported. There was a wet-pipe sprinkler system present, but its coverage and activation were not reported. Several spent CO2 extinguishers were found at the fire location.
Fire Development
A part failure (of unreported nature) in a turbine engine in a test cell ignited nearby flammable/combustibles materials.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
The loss was estimated at $5 million to the structure and
$5 million to the contents.
INDUSTRIAL
Texas
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
July, 12:33 p.m., $30,000,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This fire was in a one-story, 1,500-square-foot (139-square-meter) electric generation plant of protected noncombustible construction. The plant was at full operation.
Fire Protection Systems
There was an automatic detection system present, but the kind, coverage, and operation of the system were not reported. Suppression equipment was also present, but the type, coverage, and operation were not reported.
Fire Development
This fire broke out when a part failure (of unreported type) ignited flammable materials.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
The loss was listed as $20 million to the structure and $10 million to the contents.
Washington
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
March, 7:07 p.m., $16,000,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a one-story, 30-foot (9-meter) high, 35,000-square-foot (3,252-square-meter) fruit processing and storage facility. There was no one there when the fire broke out.
Fire Protection Systems
There was no automatic detection or suppression equipment present.
Fire Development
The cause of this fire was undetermined, as several scenarios could not be ruled out. The fire broke out on the outside of the building under an awning where pallets of cardboard boxes were wrapped with plastic wrap.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
The loss was estimated at $8 million to the structure and $8 million to the contents.
Virginia
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
February, 7:42 p.m., $10,250,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a one-story energy production plant—which used methane gas from a nearby landfill for energy—with a transformer. The plant was operating at the time of the fire. The ground floor area and type of construction were not reported.
Fire Protection Systems
There was no automatic detection equipment or suppression equipment present.
Fire Development
The cause of the fire was an electrical failure (type not reported) in a machinery room.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
The loss was estimated at $250,000 to the structure and $10 million to the contents, including the transformer.
Ohio
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
May, 7:04 p.m., $10,000,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a one-story transformer at an electrical substation. The size and capacity were not reported.
Fire Protection Systems
No information was reported.
Fire Development
No information was reported.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
Media reports indicated that mineral oil was burning and the fire department let the fire burn itself out.
SPECIAL PROPERTY
Texas
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
July, 11:48 p.m., $16,000,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This fire was on an oil/gas field. No additional information was reported.
Fire Protection Systems
No information was reported.
Fire Development
The fire was caused when a lightning strike ignited flammable/combustible fuels.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
The loss was estimated at $1 million to the structure and $15 million to the contents.
Alaska
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
January, 5:10 a.m., $15,500,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a four-story, 20,804-square-foot (1,933-square-meter) hotel of unprotected wood-frame construction that was still under construction. The site was closed for the night.
Fire Protection Systems
There was no detection system present. There was a partial coverage wet-pipe sprinkler system present, but it was not yet operational.
Fire Development
The cause and origin are listed as undetermined.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
The loss was estimated at $15 million to the structure and $500,000 to the contents.
Florida
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
July, 11:30 a.m., $10,000,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This explosion with no subsequent fire occurred in a vacant restaurant in a one-story strip mall of protected, noncombustible construction. Other businesses were operating at the time.
Fire Protection Systems
No information was reported.
Fire Development
Media reports indicated that the state investigator’s report stated a gas meter was turned on in the vacant restaurant. It was unknown if it was deliberate or by accident. The ignition source was not determined, and the reason the meter was on was unknown.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
There were 23 civilian injuries caused by the explosion.
STORAGE
Oklahoma
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
October, time not reported, $14,000,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a two-story warehouse/fulfillment center of protected, noncombustible construction that was in operation at the time of the fire. The floor area was not reported.
Fire Protection Systems
No information was reported.
Fire Development
No information was reported.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
No information was reported.
Florida
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
April, time not reported, $11,000,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
No information was reported on this warehouse fire.
Fire Protection Systems
No information was reported.
Fire Development
No information was reported.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
No information was reported.
Texas
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
February, 4:21 p.m., $10,100,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a 95,245-square-foot (8,849-square-meter) warehouse. The construction type and operating status were not reported.
Fire Protection Systems
Neither automatic detection nor suppression equipment was present.
Fire Development
An unspecified short circuit ignited multiple forms and types of materials.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
The loss was estimated at $100,000 to the structure and $10 million to the contents.
PUBLIC ASSEMBLY
California
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
June, 5:33 p.m., $36,000,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This fire began in a sushi bar of protected, noncombustible construction in a row of one-story businesses. The bar had an area of 11,250 square feet (1,045 square meters).
Fire Protection Systems
No information was reported.
Fire Development
The cause and origin were not reported.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
Arriving firefighters proceeded with an offensive attack but withdrew to a defensive attack due to the fire spread overhead. Seven additional businesses were damaged in the fire.
North Carolina
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
April, 9:37 a.m., $20,023,301
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a gas explosion that occurred in a two-story, 1,500-square-foot (139-square-meter) coffee shop of unprotected, ordinary construction. The coffee shop was open for business. The shop had been evacuated by firefighters prior to the explosion, but the owner remained inside.
Fire Protection Systems
There was an alarm system present, but the type of detection, coverage, and operation was not reported. There was a sprinkler system present, but its coverage and type were not reported. The system did not operate due to explosion damage.
Fire Development
Workers outside the shop drilling through the sidewalk accidentally drilled a hole through a plastic gas main going into the coffee shop. The gas flowed for an hour, allowing the natural gas to build up in the shop. The gas was ignited by an unknown source.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
A passerby reported the smell of gas at a location away from the scene. Firefighters initially found no issues. A few minutes later, firefighters responded to the site of the gas leak. Upon smelling the odor of gas, evacuations began in the area. The coffee shop was found to have a lower explosive limit of 100 percent in the building moments before the explosion. Two people were killed in the explosion, and one firefighter and 24 civilians were injured.
STORES AND OFFICES
Maryland
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
August, 6:53 a.m., $14,000,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was at a two-story, L-shaped office building. No additional information was reported.
Fire Protection Systems
There was a complete coverage detection system present that operated as intended. Its type was not reported. There was an automatic suppression system, but its type, coverage, and activation were not reported.
Fire Development
An undetermined source ignited gas escaping from a fractured gas line under a parking area. The fire was confined to the escaping natural gas, but an explosion caused heavy damage to the building.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
The explosion occurred 65 minutes after the original call.
WILDLAND/URBAN INTERFACE
California
Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
October, 9:22 p.m., $383,750,000
Setting
This was a wildland/urban interface fire known as the Kincade Fire.
Climate
Weather conditions when this fire broke out were clear and dry, with low humidity, strong winds, and a temperature of 91° F (33° C).
Fire Origin and Path
An electrical high-tension line failed, and sparks ignited nearby dry vegetation. The cause of the failure was not reported.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
During this fire, strong Santa Ana winds were blowing, resulting in an extreme rate of fire spread through annual grasses. The fire burned over 77,758 acres (31,468 hectares), destroyed 374 structures, and damaged many more. Area evacuations were conducted for 90,000 homes. This was the largest wildfire of the 2019 season in California. There were four injuries reported.
California
Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
October, 9:02 p.m., $20,486,000
Setting
This was a wildland/urban interface fire known as the Saddleridge Fire.
Climate
The weather was fair, with a temperature of 82° F (28° C) and no precipitation with low humidity. Santa Ana winds blew embers half a mile and started spot fires during red flag conditions.
Fire Origin and Path
The cause and origin were undetermined.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
The fire destroyed 19 structures and damaged 88 structures. There was one civilian death and eight firefighter injuries. The fire burned over 8,799 acres (3,561 hectares) of grass, brush, and chaparral. Area-wide evacuations were conducted, and the fire resulted in the closing of several major freeways.
California
Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
October, 2 p.m., $16,000,000
Setting
This was a wildland/urban interface fire known as the Sandalwood Fire.
Climate
The temperature was 82° F (28° C). Conditions were dry, with no precipitation for several days prior to the fire, and high Santa Ana winds.
Fire Origin and Path
This wildfire started when a garbage truck driver emptied his load of smoldering trash in an area next to dry vegetation. The wind pushed the fire into the dry brush and the fire spread rapidly.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
By the time firefighters arrived, the fire had burned 3 acres (1 hectare) and high winds were contributing to rapid fire spread, including through a manufactured home park. The fire spread over 1,011 acres (409 hectares), destroyed 74 structures, and damaged 16 others. Two people died and three were injured.
California
Date, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
October, 1:35 a.m., $12,008,000
Setting
This was a wildland/urban interface fire known as the Getty Fire.
Climate
The temperature was 76° F (24° C) with dry conditions, low humidity, and strong Santa Ana winds.
Fire Origin and Path
The fire started when high winds broke a tree limb, which hit electrical transmission lines. Sparks and arcing from the lines ignited nearby dry brush and grass.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
The fire burned 745 acres (301 hectares), destroyed 10 structures, and damaged 15 others. More than 10,000 structures were evacuated. Five injuries were reported.
VEHICLE
California
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
June, 1:06 p.m., $30,000,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a Marine Corps CH-53 helicopter, 99 feet (30 meters) long and 79 feet (24 meters) wide, that was in flight when the incident occurred.
Fire Protection Systems
No information on fire detection or suppression systems was reported. There was a fire extinguisher onboard, but the type was not reported. The extinguisher was inaccessible due to the location of the fire.
Fire Development
Shortly after takeoff, smoke was seen coming from a control panel. The smoke soon became fire. The fire spread through the cockpit after landing.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
The helicopter had taken off and was airborne on a training flight. The helicopter crew made an emergency landing at a nearby airport and fire apparatus arrived. Firefighting operations used foam to extinguish most of the fire, and a handline was used to enter the aircraft over the rear loading lift to complete extinguishment. One person suffered smoke inhalation injuries and was treated on the scene.
Ohio
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
February, 10:45 p.m., $25,000,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This iron ore carrying freighter was 770 feet (235 meters) long, 92 feet (28 meters) wide, and 52 feet (16 meters) high and was laid up for the winter. There was no one on board when the fire broke out.
Fire Protection Systems
There was no automatic detection system. There was a manual suppression system present. Firefighters were not able to reach the operation control to open the system due to the fire’s location.
Fire Development
The cause of this fire was undetermined. The fire broke out in a machine on the gangway deck above the main engine room. The fire burned for 35 hours in the upper engine room spaces, into the superstructure, and into the unloading conveyer belt.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
Arriving firefighters found all but one hydrant on a private system frozen, and water lines on the dock were frozen. Firefighters attempted to draft water from the lake but found the water level was 14 feet (4 meters) below the dock, covered by about 2 feet (0.6 meters) of ice. A tanker task force was requested and a water supply was established. Damage was estimated at $20 million to the ship and $5 million to the contents.
Florida
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
December, 7:30 p.m., $14,000,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a fire onboard a 120-foot (37-meter) yacht of fiberglass construction docked at a marina. There were two crew members on board at the time. Both escaped unharmed.
Fire Protection Systems
No information was reported.
Fire Development
No information was reported.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
Arriving firefighters went to a defensive attack shortly after arrival. The unmanned yacht capsized during the fire.
Minnesota
Month, Time of Alarm, Dollar Loss
December, 2:43 p.m., $10,250,000
Property Characteristics and Operating Status
This was a video production trailer parked on a city street. There was no information reported on its size.
Fire Protection Systems
No information was reported.
Fire Development
Friction from a part failure caused the front tire to catch fire after rubbing against the body or engine. The fire was confined to the exterior of the trailer, but smoke entered the vehicle.
Contributing Factors and Other Details
This was a mobile production trailer used to broadcast a local football game. The loss was estimated at $250,000 to the vehicle and $10 million to the contents, which included video, broadcast, and monitor equipment.