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Gold/Mining/Energy : Gasification Technologies -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Dennis Roth who wrote (1195)	1/21/2008 7:42:51 AM
From: Dennis Roth	Respond to of 1740

Blast narrowly missed 200 gas cylinders By Emily Allen oxfordmail.net CompactGTL, scene of the gas explosion An explosion which ripped through an industrial unit narrowly missed setting off 200 gas cylinders and destroying several buildings. A severed gas pipe is believed to be the cause of the blast, which destroyed much of the premises of Abingdon-based gas to liquids firm CompactGTL on Saturday. Three workers were seen fleeing the building in Blacklands Way, which is only yards from the busy Fairacres Retail Park. A Health and Safety Executive investigation has been launched and one fireman said the damage could have been a lot worse if the explosion had set off the cylinders. The fireman, who did not want to be named, said: "We believe the cylinders were only feet away and they could have potentially become missiles had they exploded. "They would have shot into the air and probably taken out several other units." advertisement The explosion happened at about 1.05pm and up to 70 firefighters had to tackle the resulting fire to keep it back from the cylinders, which contained a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and helium gases. A 300m exclusion zone was set up, closing the shopping park. No one was injured in the explosion and police said two people initially missing were later accounted for. Windows in nearby shops and houses, including homes in Faringdon Road, were shaken by the blast. Keith Culley, 28, manager of the nearby Contact Electrical unit, was at work at the time of the explosion. He said: "I heard massive gushing noises. It sounded like wind whooshing through the building and we knew there was something wrong. "Three men came out of the building and started walking away from it quite fast. "About three minutes later, there was a massive explosion which blew the 30ft shutter doors about 10 feet away. "It was quite a shock. I think we definitely had a narrow escape." Passer-by David Lee Smith, 28, from Ock Street, saw clouds of black smoke. He said: "I thought I had better get out of there quick. I was so close I thought one of the gas bottles might land on me and I was not going to hang around for that." Conor Thomas, 13, of Tower Close, was with his brother Kaylem, 11, about a quarter of a mile away. He said: "It sounded like a massive lorry tipping over and we could smell a bit of gas, but we were not scared." Peter Riches, chief executive of CompactGTL which employs 25 people, confirmed he had workers in the building on Saturday. He said: "I am immensely disappointed, but it is a great relief that no one was hurt. The emergency services did a first class job." Hundreds of staff and shoppers were evacuated from nearby stores in case of further explosions. Customers in Homebase were evacuated twice. Robert Wells, who sells furniture at Lee Longlands, said: "I heard three bangs and the roof and windows shook. I watched the metal girders shake and I could see a lot of smoke out the back of the building." Firefighters worked through Saturday night to contain the fire and dampen down the area to prevent further explosions. Traffic was backed up along the Marcham Road for most of Saturday afternoon as Colwell Road was closed at both Copenhagen Drive and Marcham Road. Nuffield Way was also closed. The incident is not being treated as suspicious. 7:31pm Sunday 20th January 2008