A report released this week by NIOSH into the death of a St. Anna firefighter last year found that the application of wet extinguishing agents to a combustible metal fire contributed to the explosion that killed him.
"Per the state fire marshal’s report, the cause and origin of the fire is listed as undetermined and the cause of the explosion was a result of the fire suppression efforts and the introduction of water and suppressant foam," the report states.
Firefighter Steven J. 'Peanut' Koeser was killed and six other firefighters, along with a lieutenant and a junior firefighter, were injured on the night of Dec. 29 when a burning dumpster exploded outside Bremer Manufacturing.
Crews responded to the fire at approximately 7:33 p.m. and arrived at the scene to find approximately two-foot high, bluish-green flames emitting from the dumpster, according to the report.
The incident commander examined the contents of the dumpster using an attic ladder and found aluminum shavings, foundry floor sweepings and a 55-gallon drum.
Crews sprayed close to 700 gallons of water on the fire but it had no effect. It was then decided to switch to foam and approximately 100 gallons were put on the fire, but there was still no change in the fire conditions.
Just over twelve minutes on scene, the contents of the dumpster started sparking and then exploded, sending shrapnel and barrels into the air and in the direction of the firefighters, according to report.
According to the medical examiner's autopsy report, the 33-year-old firefighter died from multiple injuries as a result of blunt force trauma. Medical records showed that all of the firefighters' injuries were caused by the explosion.
A lieutenant sustained lower back and spinal cord injuries; three firefighters and a junior firefighter experienced temporary hearing loss; one firefighter had back pain and temporary hearing loss; another had a neck sprain and a bump on his head; and one firefighter sustained second degree burns to the left elbow and right flank, as well as a broken right hand, according to the report.
NIOSH identified the following items as key contributing factors in this incident:
- Wet extinguishing agent applied to a combustible metal fire.
- Lack of hazardous materials awareness training.
- No documented site pre-plan.
- Insufficient scene size-up and risk assessment
- Inadequate disposal/storage of materials.
NIOSH made the following recommendations following its investigation:
- Ensure that high risk sites such as foundries, mills, processing plants, etc. are pre-planned by conducting a walk through by all possible responding fire departments and that the plan is updated annually.
- Ensure that specialized training is acquired for high risk sites with unique hazards, such as combustible metals.
- Ensure that standard operating guidelines are developed, implemented and enforced.
- Ensure a proper scene size-up and risk assessment when responding to high risk occupancies such as foundries, mills, processing plants, etc.
- Ensure a documented junior fire fighter program that addresses junior firefighters being outside the hazard zone.
