Huge Storage Tank Explodes

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30984, 14 February 1966, Page 1

Huge Storage Tank Explodes

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 13. ' A storage tank erupted in a sheet of flame after an explosion in the bulk installation depot of Shell Oil New Zealand, Ltd., at Freemans Bay, Auckland, tonight.

The explosion, which buckled and fractured the roof of the one million gallon tank, occurred only 10 minutes after technicians started pumping kerosene from the 12,152-ton Dutch tanker Korenia.

A dozen engines from city and suburban fire stations were rushed to the scene at 6.15 p.m.

Thousands of gallons of foam were poured into the tank and the flames were quickly extinguished, but the Fire Brigade stayed on duty all night to guard against another explosion.

One alarm was given by Mr D. Evans, of Devonport, a kiln operator at the timber yards of C. Aickin and Sons. Ltd., opposite the installation depot.

“I heard a rumbling,” said Mr Evans, “and the next thing there was a deafening bang and I saw a sheet of flame soar out of the tank.” Mr A. Elwarth, an Auckland Harbour Board slipway watch-keeper, who also raised the alarm, said: “I was just finishing my tea when I smelt the fumes. I looked out and

saw the tank smoking and when I went inside to ring the fire brigade I heard it explode.” Firemen worked desperately to gain early control and prevent any further explosions. Three other one million gallon tanks were in the same compound confined only by a low earthen bond wall. The burning tank, about one-third full, contained 300,000 gallons of kerosene.

“We were lucky to get there before it got away,” said the deputy chief fire officer, Mr A. W. Brunce. Line Cut Oil company technicians cut off the pipeline to the Korenia, but the fire was still blazing inside the tank. Firemen quickly started pumping the compound into the burning tank. One fixed foam pipe on the side of the tank was ruptured by the explosion but the other worked perfectly. “We really got a good layer of foam in smartly,” said Mr Bruce. Other Fire Brigade foam hoses were rigged to take advantages of ruptures in the roof of the tank. Firemen on extension ladders poured the foam through the fissures. Government and Auckland City Council dangerous goods inspectors arrived to assess the potential of the fire. It was at least an hour before the experts could climb to the roof of the tank to inspect the fire through a manhole. Firemen continued to douse the inside of the tank with foam, and fresh stocks were rushed from the oil companies’ depot at Mechanics Bay. Four hoses played a continuous stream on the sides of the tank to cool it.

Mr Bruce said an all-night watch would be kept on the tank and the cooling measures would continue until oil company experts were satisfied the danger was passed.