DATE : 2014-06-04
A huge explosion and fire on 3 June at a Shell chemical plant at Moerdijk, Netherlands has injured two employees. An explosion occurred at about 11.00 pm local time at the MSPO-2 plant, which produces styrene monomer and propylene oxide, and it was followed by a fire, Shell says in a statement. The incident occurred while the installation was temporarily shut for routine maintenance, Shell says. “Relevant authorities and emergency services were alerted immediately. They arrived on location quickly to extinguish the fire,” Shell says. The fire was extinguished at about 6 am on 4 June. According to press reports the incident released toxic smoke across a wide area, but Shell says that no harmful emissions were released into the air. “Air quality tests were also carried out. The mayor of Moerdijk confirmed in a press conference late on 3 June, that no harmful concentrations of emissions were detected in the air,” Shell says.
“An investigation into the cause of the explosion has been initiated. Shell Moerdijk will work closely with government authorities.” Other facilities at the Shell Moerdijk site are currently operating normally.
SOURCE Chemweek Business Daily