Grinder sparked fire – report
A spark from a grinder led to a massive fireball blaze at an auto dismantler, a report has found.
A large corrugated-iron workshop shed at Manawatu¯ Car Removal in Keith St was destroyed on August 18.
Fire engulfed the shed, causing explosions when fuel canisters and LPG cylinders inside blew up. Findings in a report released to Stuff by Fire and Emergency New Zealand show forgotten fuel spills, a history at the business of staff putting out fires themselves, and a spark all played a part.
A new worker, who had been injured earlier in the day, was stripping a car for bolts at 11.50am when the car slipped, the report said. The worker told police the car dropped on to a grinder. ‘‘The grinder kept on going and the sparks ignited some gas that was on the ground,’’ they said.
The worker spotted the blaze and rushed to alert other staff outside, who attempted to put out the fire with a customer.
But by that stage, the fire had spread and was out of control.
Firefighters were called to the workshop at 11.55am.
On their arrival, they found the 462-square-metre singlestorey industrial workshop engulfed. It was surrounded by used cars, making it difficult for firefighters to attack the flames, the report said. ‘‘With observations and witness reports, this fire has been determined to have been accidental ignition of flammable liquids or vapours evolving from spilt fuel as a result of a sparking grinder when dropped during normal workshop activities.
‘‘Fire indicators suggest the fire has spread to the car and has quickly evolved within the multiple fuel sources located within the workshop. The area surrounding the buildings was littered with car bodies and assorted car parts, which hampered access to the fire.’’
Near the workshop was a relocated three-bedroom singlestorey house, being used as an office and living quarters, which was also engulfed in flames.
As firefighters worked to control the blaze, a massive explosion, caused by fuel canisters and LPG cylinders, sent a fireball into the sky.
The new worker was injured in the blaze and taken to Palmerston North Hospital for treatment.
Interviews with staff revealed the floor of the workshop was ‘‘always covered in oil and spilt fuels’’. An absorbent material was used to clean up spillage. However, there were delays in cleaning, the report said.
‘‘We were informed by workers during interviews, that it was common that they would have a fire within the workshop due to fuel and sparks, and that the staff would put these out without contacting Fire and Emergency NZ.’’