Barton Solvents Explosions and Fire

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Accident Description
On July 17, 2007, explosions and fire erupted at the Barton Solvents facility in Valley Center, Kansas, north of Wichita. The incident led to the evacuation of thousands of residents and resulted in projectile damage offsite, as well as extensive damage to the facility.

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Investigation Status
The CSB’s final report was issued at a news conference in Wichita, Kansas, on June 26, 2008.         

Valero Refinery Propane Fire

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Accident Description
On February 16, 2007, a propane fire erupted at the Valero McKee Refinery in Sunray, Texas, north of Amarillo. Three workers suffered serious burns, and the refinery was forced to shut down. The fire began following a leak in the propane deasphalting unit and spread quickly, in part because of the rapid collapse of a major pipe rack carrying flammable hydrocarbons. Some of the rack’s support columns had not been fireproofed.

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Investigation Status
The CSB’s final report was issued at a news conference in Amarillo, Texas, on July 9, 2008.         

Little General Store Propane Explosion

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Accident Description
Four people were killed and five others were seriously injured when propane vapors from a storage tank ignited and exploded at the Little General convenience store and gas station in Ghent, West Virginia. Propane was used as fuel inside the building, which was completely destroyed.

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Investigation Status
The CSB’s final report was approved by the Board at a public meeting in Beckley, West Virginia, on September 25, 2008.         

T2 Laboratories Inc. Reactive Chemical Explosion

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Accident Description
On December 19, 2007, four people were killed and 13 others were transported to the hospital when an explosion occured at T2 Laboratories Inc. during the production of a gasoline additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl.

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Investigation Status
The CSB final report was approved by the Board at a public meeting in Jacksonville, Florida, on 9/15/2009.        

Imperial Sugar Company Dust Explosion and Fire

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Accident Description
On February 7, 2008, a huge explosion and fire occurred at the Imperial Sugar refinery northwest of Savannah, Georgia, causing 14 deaths and injuring 38 others, including 14 with serious and life-threatening burns. The explosion was fueled by massive accumulations of combustible sugar dust throughout the packaging building.

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Investigation Status
The CSB’s final report was released at a public meeting in Savannah, GA on September 24, 2009.