"Three people suffered burns and one suffered smoke inhalation...."

Molten metal fires can be a nightmare. Only through planning, preparing, and drilling on what to do when a molten metal fire occurs. Here is a recent incident emphasizing the hazard of molten metal fires.

Four workers at an industrial company were taken to a hospital one day during the week of March 22, 2020 after being injured while trying to control a magnesium fire that broke out while they were pouring 7,800-degree liquid metal into a mold, local Fire Chief said.

One worker suffered smoke inhalation and was still receiving treatment late afternoon, the chief said. The other three workers suffered minor burns and had been discharged from the hospital, he added.

The chief said the fire was reported around 11 a.m. at the foundry, a family-owned business that produces metal (magnesium and aluminium) castings.

Firefighters from all five departments in town went to the scene and had the fire under control by 11:45 a.m. Firefighters then stayed on scene for “overhaul,” the chief said.

The fire chief said a magnesium fire is different from an ordinary structure fire because firefighters can’t use water on the blaze, which would only make the fire bigger.

Instead, they used a powdered chemical to smother the flames. The chief said the fire was contained within a small area, not spreading beyond a small molding room with firewalls. He said the building sustained minor damage, though the Building Department had yet to determine if it would be condemned.

He said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

We pray that the injured workers recovery fully from their injuries. We have not heard about the worker’s conditions as of posting. We view that as a positive because in our experience workers with molten metal burns normally succumb to their injuries within a few days.

It is imperative that both young and seasoned workers be regularly trained on how to deal with molten metal spills. As well as be trained on how to handle a molten metal fire. In addition every plant has to make sure that they have enough fire extinguishing agent and not to rely on a the local fire department.

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