On March 5, 2007, at 2:07 p.m., the Fire and Rescue Service for Protection of AB Mazeikiu Nafta notified that during the demolition activities on the vacuum tower, which had suffered from the fire in AB Mazeikiu Nafta last year, self-ignition occurred and was put out at 2:19 p.m., i.e. within 12 minutes.
According to the Company's procedures, the demolition activities are classified as hot work and require coordination with the Fire and Rescue Service, i.e. issue of permits, monitoring of work progress, etc.
The collapsed tower is currently located on the dedicated site, which is not associated with any process operations, and its demolition is carried out in compliance with the safety requirements. The tower is being cut into pieces and the rectification trays are being removed to perform visual inspection in order to determine which parts of the tower, if any, may be salvaged. There are deposits of residues which have built up during the service life of the tower, such residues containing pyrophoric compounds which may self-ignite. Water spray is applied on the internal part of the tower to avoid self-ignition.
Information of AB Mazeikiu Nafta Communication Department
2007-03-05 Notification of the Fire and Rescue Service for Protection of AB Mazeikiu Nafta:
On March 5, 2007, at 2.07 p.m., pyrophoric compounds ignited in the tower K-601 (tower under repair in metal storage area near section S-001) of FCC Complex of AB Mazeikiu Nafta, as well as residual petroleum product on the tower walls (on the area of 20 m2).
The fire was contained at 2.14 p.m., and finally extinguished at 2.19 p.m. utilizing one water-foam canon from one fire-extinguishing truck.
Repairs of K-601 have been suspended. Nobody suffered; financial losses have not yet been identified.
Information of Fire and Rescue Service
2007-03-06, 14:40, Updated information from the Fire and Rescue Department:
The Fire and Rescue Department would like to present the following updated information. On March 5, 2007, at 2:07 p.m., during the demolition activities on the vacuum tower, which had suffered from the fire in AB Mazeikiu Nafta last year, self-ignition occurred and was put out at 2:19 p.m., i.e. within 12 minutes. The collapsed tower is currently located on the dedicated site, which is not associated with any process operations, and its demolition is carried out in compliance with the safety requirements.
The tower is being cut into pieces and the rectification trays are being removed to perform visual inspection in order to determine which parts of the tower, if any, may be salvaged.
There are deposits of residues which have built up during the service life of the tower, such residues containing pyrophoric compounds which may self-ignite. Water spray is applied on the internal part of the tower to avoid self-ignition.
Information of the Public Information Division of the Fire and Rescue Department