The Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A man suffered serious burns Tuesday in a flash fire at a local bulk-fuel storage facility, Chattanooga fire officials said.
Craig Fuqua, 42, of Ringgold, Ga., had second-degree burns to both legs and his right arm, said Bruce Garner, fire department spokesman. He is listed in serious condition at Erlanger hospital.
Chattanooga firefighters from Station 6 responded about 7:30 a.m. when someone drove up and told them there was a fire at Benton Oil Service on Bonny Oaks Drive, Mr. Garner said.
Battalion Chief Ben Biggs said the fire was in a pool of rainwater with some type of petroleum-based product on top. Despite the heavy rain, the fire continued to burn until firefighters put it out, Mr. Garner said.
Firefighters were led to Mr. Fuqua, Mr. Garner said. The firefighters provided some initial care before paramedics with Hamilton County EMS rushed him to Erlanger, Mr. Garner said.
Fire officials are investigating the cause of the fire.
They were told a worker was using a pump to draw water away from some underground storage tanks, Mr. Garner said, but the initial investigation shows the worker was not pumping water but a petroleum-based liquid onto the ground, Mr. Garner said. Vapors from the petroleum ignited, causing a flash fire, he said.
The fire department's hazardous materials team was called because the petroleum runoff posed a hazard to the environment, he said.
Capt. Danny Hague with the fire department's tactical services division said firefighters placed absorbent pads and containment rails — called booms — around the site to keep the product from getting into a nearby ditch, which was full of rainwater draining into the nearby Friar's Branch.
An environmental cleanup company also was called to assist, Mr. Garner said.
Officials with the Chattanooga fire marshal's office, Chattanooga police, Stormwater Management and Hamilton County Emergency Services are assisting with the investigation.
Copyright 2008 Chattanooga Publishing Company
