Chemical Incident Reporting – Week of 1-25-25

NOTE: See here for series background.

Henderson, KY – 1-8-25

Local News Report: Here, here, here, and here.

There was a warehouse fire that involved two ‘residential-sized’ propane tanks that exploded. The warehouse was destroyed, it was not clear how much of the destruction was caused by the explosions or fire. No injuries were reported.

Probably CSB reportable.

This is kind of an edge case for the CSB chemical incident reporting regulations. There are references in the news reports to ‘lots of flammable contents’ that made firefighting difficult, but those ‘contents’ were not specifically identified as chemicals. If it were not for the mention of the two propane tanks exploding, this would not be considered a CSB reportable incident.

San Jacinto County, TX– 1-24-25

Local News Report: Here, here, here, and here.

There was a traffic accident where a tank truck overturned and leaked sulfur dioxide gas, reportedly 3,000 lbs released. The truck driver died. There were 29 students on a school bus that were treated for exposure after the bus drove past the accident. 

Not CSB reportable, this would be a PHMSA reportable incident.

NOTE: There is another interesting take on this incident here. A Sheriff’s Department airboat (still on the boat trailer) was used to disperse the fumes in the area to aid first responders dealing with the accident.

Surfside Beach, SC – 1-27-25

Local News Report: Here, here, and here.

There was an ammonia spill (household cleaner, perhaps) in a residential complex. Two people were transported to hospital for ‘treatment’. There is no reporting on whether they were admitted to the hospital.

Possibly (low probability) a CSB reportable accident.

If this is indeed a household cleaner spill in a personal residence, this stretches the definitions in 40 CFR 1604.2. There is nothing in the definition of ‘stationary source’ that restricts the definition to commercial or industrial sites. Additionally, the term 'extremely hazardous substance’ is operationally defined as “any substance which may cause death, serious injury, or substantial property damage”, with ‘serious injury’ being operationally defined as causing ‘death or inpatient hospitalization’. So, if either of the two people transported to the hospital were admitted this would become a CSB reportable incident. I suspect, however, that folks at the CSB would be very surprised to receive a report about an incident like this.