Hazardous Materials News

News Archive

2025

Home EV charger may have started house fire - solar panels made firefighting more complicated

Fire crews remained at the scene for several hours to ensure that all hot spots, including blown-in insulation in the attic, were fully extinguished. No injuries were reported, but residents of adjacent homes were temporarily evacuated as a precaution. I

Home EV charger may have started house fire - solar panels made firefighting more complicated

NYFD making "significant progress" with mitigating lithium battery fires

The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) has taken several steps in recent years to mitigate the risks associated with lithium-ion battery fires, which are particularly concerning due to their potential to ignite rapidly and release toxic fumes.

NYFD making "significant progress" with mitigating lithium battery fires

Ship with 7000 tons of Ammonium Nitrate detained in Swedish port – 19 Deficiencies found onboard

A ship loaded with Ammonium Nitrate has been prohibited from leaving the Port of Uddevalla after 19 deficiencies were discovered. It is classified as dangerous goods and can, under certain circumstances, be a powerful explosive.

Ship with 7000 tons of Ammonium Nitrate detained in Swedish port – 19 Deficiencies found onboard

Restaurant explosion in Most, Czech Republic

Six dead in a restaurant explosion in the Czech city of Most

The blast ignited a fire that quickly consumed the building, as reported by emergency services. In t...

Six dead in a restaurant explosion in the Czech city of Most

Screenshot from the YouTube video of the lithium battery fire in the store.

Video released of lithium batteries starting fire in a hobby store

A four-alarm fire erupted at a hobby store in Onset, Massachusetts, earlier this month, rapidly spre...

Video released of lithium batteries starting fire in a hobby store

Dangerous carbon monoxide levels evacuated hotel and injured five people

On the morning of January 3, 2025, a carbon monoxide leak occurred at the Residence Inn Atlanta Downtown, a high-rise hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department responded to the incident around 8:30 a.m. detecting dangerous CO2 levels.

Dangerous carbon monoxide levels evacuated hotel and injured five people

Fireworks accident on new Years Eve killed four and injured 20

Three women were killed initially, and six others remain hospitalized in Arizona with severe burns over 45-80% of their bodies. All six are on breathing tubes, five in medically induced comas, and face months of recovery.

Fireworks accident on new Years Eve killed four and injured 20

2024

A generic illustration of a CNG powered garbage truck exploding. From an idea by Born Ulfsson, execetued by Chat GPT.

Garbage truck powered by compressed natural gas exploded in neighbourhood

Parts of the truck was catapulted several hundred feet away from the explosion and found several blo...

Garbage truck powered by compressed natural gas exploded in neighbourhood

A thermal decomposition event in common cleaning agents caused the massive chemical explosion at the...

The CSB published its report on Friday, detailing the events surrounding the September 29 chemical f...

A thermal decomposition event in common cleaning agents caused the massive chemical explosion at the Bio-Lab facility in Conyers

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Hurricane_Ida_flooding_in_Wilmington%2C_September_2%2C_2021_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Hurricane_Ida_flooding_in_Wilmington%2C_September_2%2C_2021_%28cropped%29.jpg

The dangers of flood water to exposed skin: infections, cholera and human tissue damage follow in t...

The public is warned to minimize skin exposure in flooded areas as much as possible due the risk of ...

The dangers of flood water to exposed skin: infections, cholera and human tissue damage follow in the wake of storms

A generic illustration of singe use propane canisters littering in a park. From an idea by Bjorn Ulfsson / CTIF, executed by Chat GTP.

Single use propane canisters outlawed in the state of California by 2028

Approximately 4-7 million of the the single use cylinders are sold each year in California. Their di...

Single use propane canisters outlawed in the state of California by 2028

The aftermath of the February 16 propane explosion in Sterling that claimed the life of a volunteer firefighter, left 11 firefighters injured, and completely destroyed a home, caused $2.5 million in damages. Courtesy Photo/Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System

Propane worker charged with the death of a volunteer firefighter after explosion - 11 first responde...

On February 16 a propane explosion claimed the life of a US volunteer firefighter, left 11 firefight...

Propane worker charged with the death of a volunteer firefighter after explosion - 11 first responders seriously injured

1600 hydrogen cars recalled due to potential fire risk with faulty pressure valve

The manufacturer is urging owners of nearly 1,600 Nexo hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to park them outd...

1600 hydrogen cars recalled due to potential fire risk with faulty pressure valve

Rappbode Reservoir looking west along the main axis from the Rotestein. Wikipedia Commons License.

Concerns about the use of flame retardants affecting drinking water in German drinking water reservo...

Despite concerns from the park administration, which opposed the use of the fire retardant due to it...

Concerns about the use of flame retardants affecting drinking water in German drinking water reservoir

A generic illustration of a burning bio chemical lab facility. After an idea by Bjorn Ulfsson / CTIF, executed by Chat GPT.

Lawsuit filed to permanently shut down bio chemical plant after hazardous fire that evacuated 17,000...

The shelter-n-place order was not lifted until more than two weeks after the incident, and concerns ...

Lawsuit filed to permanently shut down bio chemical plant after hazardous fire that evacuated 17,000 people

Mikko Saastamoinen, Firefighter of the Year in Finland 2020. Photo: Rescue information

CTIF in shock and mourning at the sudden loss of Mikko Saastamoinen, chair of the Extrication and Ne...

On Wednesday October 2, CTIF was shaken by terrible and hard-to-fathom news: Mikko Saastamoinen, Fin...

CTIF in shock and mourning at the sudden loss of Mikko Saastamoinen, chair of the Extrication and New Technology Commission

English: Liquid Pool Chlorine Date 14 November 2015, 17:29:29 Source Own work Author Maksym Kozlenko

10 first responders hospitalized for exposure to chemicals in a pool supply ware house fire

The fire, which likely started due to a chemical reaction on a pallet outside the building, spread t...

10 first responders hospitalized for exposure to chemicals in a pool supply ware house fire

A cartoonish depiction of contaminants form LIB fires on firefighter turnout gear. Illustration by Bjorn Ulfsson / CTIF, generated by Chat GPT.

CO2 cleaning of firefighter turnout gear recommended globally by the Urban Fire Forum

While routine cleaning is essential, fire departments should also consider advanced and specialized ...

CO2 cleaning of firefighter turnout gear recommended globally by the Urban Fire Forum

The remnants of a truck carrying 31,000 pounds of lithium batteries. Photo by

31,000 pounds of lithium batteries caught fire in a crash on the highway

The total amount of water used to extinguish the fire was 5,550 gallons / 21,000 litres, with the ad...

31,000 pounds of lithium batteries caught fire in a crash on the highway

A generic container ship at sea. https://www.rawpixel.com/image/434575/massive-container-ship

Damaged ship loaded with 20k tons of ammonium nitrate towed from Norway to Lithuania

When the ship first anchored in Tromsø, Norwegian authorities established a 500-meter safety zone du...

Damaged ship loaded with 20k tons of ammonium nitrate towed from Norway to Lithuania

Explosion killed a batalion chief when firefighters opened a burning truck

Chief Garret Smith described the blast as “violent.” The cause of the fire and subsequent explosio...

Explosion killed a batalion chief when firefighters opened a burning truck

CCTV footage from the burning EV Incheon, South Korea.

South Korea held emergency state meeting on the safety of electric vehicles

The urgent meeting was prompted by a serious fire on August 1, where a Mercedes-Benz electric vehicl...

South Korea held emergency state meeting on the safety of electric vehicles

Eliminating a minor ammonia leak at the nitrogen fertilizer plant Date Taken on 24 October 2006 Source https://web.archive.org/web/20161011004849/http://www.panoramio.com/photo/4844709. Wikipedia Commons License. Author Tseno Tanev (цено та…

Multiple injuries during an ammonia leak in a Virginia food processing plant

Due to the number of potential patients and the nature of their medical conditions, the incident com...

Multiple injuries during an ammonia leak in a Virginia food processing plant

The remains of e-scooters and e-bikes after a fire. Photo by the London Fire Brigade.

New York introduces new legislation to combat e-bike fires - but is it enough?

There have been over 100 e-battery fires in the city this year, though this number has slightly decr...

New York introduces new legislation to combat e-bike fires - but is it enough?

"Unconscious after two breaths": Lithium battery explosions in South Korea killed 22 through smoke i...

Firefighters used dry sand to extinguish the fire, as water can intensify lithium fires. The fire to...

"Unconscious after two breaths": Lithium battery explosions in South Korea killed 22 through smoke inhalation

Mangaf, Kuwait. Wikipedia Commons License, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mangaf-kuwait.jpg

LPG fire in Kuwait killed 50 guest workers and injured dozens others - including 5 firefighters

More than 20 LPG cylinders and other flammable materials in the kitchen contributed to the rapid spr...

LPG fire in Kuwait killed 50 guest workers and injured dozens others - including 5 firefighters

NFPA proposes new standard for Battery Safety

The NFPA recently shared important news regarding the proposed initiative to enhance battery safety ...

NFPA proposes new standard for Battery Safety

Photo of burned E-scooters provided by the New York Fire Department.

Home destroyed by e-bike that was not even plugged in

In a matter of seconds, the family holiday turned to despair. A forensic investigation pinpointed th...

Home destroyed by e-bike that was not even plugged in

Jakarta ammunition fire. Photo by the Indonesian military.

Robotic cars used to extinguish chemical fire in ammo depot

The fire is thought to to have originated from unstable chemicals located in the Jakarta military a...

Robotic cars used to extinguish chemical fire in ammo depot

The remnants of a lithium battery pack, ruptured from an explosion, lie amid the water deployed to extinguish a fire at a residential complex on Tiogue Avenue in Coventry, Rhode Island. As per the Rhode Island Office of the State Fire Marshal, the fire erupted on the night of March 11, 2024, when an electric bike was connected to the battery pack using an inappropriate aftermarket charger. (Photo courtesy: Office of the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal)

Fresh money may be allocated to train firefighters to deal with lithium battery fires

We are witnessing a surge in these batteries in households, and fires are becoming a pressing issue,...

Fresh money may be allocated to train firefighters to deal with lithium battery fires

Garbage burning at a landfill. Photo from 1996 by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Credit: U.S. EPA Digital Photographs Relating to the Environment

Lithium batteries thrown into regular garbage a growing fire problem

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are increasingly being found in solid waste bins, rather than rec...

Lithium batteries thrown into regular garbage a growing fire problem

Toronto moves towards restricting e-bikes on public transit due to fire risk

Starting April 9, Metrolinx, the operator of trains on the Toronto GO network, will enforce restrict...

Toronto moves towards restricting e-bikes on public transit due to fire risk

Wikipedia Commons License May 4, 2017. Vancouver, BC Political BC party NDP Leader John Horgan stops by Fire Hall No. 22 at 1005 W 59th Ave.

Vancouver could be first in North America to phase out PFA-containing bunker gear

Vancouver fire chief Karen Fry says some firefighters in her department will soon start to get new u...

Vancouver could be first in North America to phase out PFA-containing bunker gear

A screen shot from LAFD´s operation in a cannabis lab where several firefighters were injured.

Dangerous fire fighting conditions in cannabis labs

Five firefighters were injured Saturday morning in downtown Los Angeles, when fire tore through an i...

Dangerous fire fighting conditions in cannabis labs

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy https://www.flickr.com/photos/ntsb/49584384953

Controlled vent and burn of vinyl chloride in East Palestine 'unnecessary'

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy testified to Congress Wednesday that a controlled burn and explosion wer...

Controlled vent and burn of vinyl chloride in East Palestine 'unnecessary'

Screenshot from an aerial video of the crash site.

HazMat transport: Many questions remain about toxicity and the emergency crew situation remains the ...

Proposed legislative changes have not yet made their way into law. Crews are left to rely on privat...

HazMat transport: Many questions remain about toxicity and the emergency crew situation remains the same in East Palestine

A fire broke out in cargo holds of the Genius Star XI, which is carrying nearly 2,000 tons of lithium-ion batteries. This thermal image shows heat signatures from the engine room and exhaust stack.Photo Credit: U.S. Coast Guard.

CO2 and closed vents used by ship crew to oxygen starve fire in 2000 tons of lithium-ion batteries o...

The exact cause of the fire was not known and remains under investigation. What appears clear is tha...

CO2 and closed vents used by ship crew to oxygen starve fire in 2000 tons of lithium-ion batteries on cargo ship

Some of the dangerous batteries and cells recovered in Queens.

Fire department discovers illegal battery shop - some lithium-ion batteries exploded when removed

The so called Frankenstein batteries were so dangerous that some of them exploded and had to be exti...

Fire department discovers illegal battery shop - some lithium-ion batteries exploded when removed

Screen shot from CBRN Academy's Patron page.

Private hazmat survival team educates the public in Slovakia

The idea is to teach civilians the basic principles of modern-century personal protection. This cons...

Private hazmat survival team educates the public in Slovakia

A private mobile phone video of the lithium fire in France, uploaded to Twitter January 16

900 tonnes of lithium batteries on fire in French recycling plant north of Toulouse

Le Monde reported that up to 70 firefighters were battling to get the fire under control.

900 tonnes of lithium batteries on fire in French recycling plant north of Toulouse

Hazardous material decontamination operators await the arrival of contaminated patients of a mock nuclear attack during Operation Vibrant Response. Muscatatuck Urban Training Center is the Army's premier urban warfare training site in Butlerville Indiana. (DoD photo by Benjamin Faske) Date 8 November 2009, 10:39 Source 091108-F-8594F-797 Author US Air Force from USA

Ammonia, chlorine, chlorine dioxide and hydrofluoric acid the most common chemicals involved in HazM...

What to train for in HazMat? Large or small? The high impact, rare incident or the more likely incid...

Ammonia, chlorine, chlorine dioxide and hydrofluoric acid the most common chemicals involved in HazMat accidents

Natural gas powered semi truck exploded - 9 firefighters injured

The explosion created 9 meters / 30-foot flames into the air and the noise rattled the neighbourhoo...

Natural gas powered semi truck exploded - 9 firefighters injured

The HyResponder hydrogen training material how has instructional videos to explain the training prog...

There are four videos added from CTIF Belgium, where the Belgian approach t this training material h...

The HyResponder hydrogen training material how has instructional videos to explain the training program

2023

Screen shot from Utkiken Rescue´s YouTube video

Explosions due to lithium ion batteries - insights for firefighters

The video analyses several incidents where explosions from lithium ion batteries have occured. It al...

Explosions due to lithium ion batteries - insights for firefighters

S-Trust at anchor following the casualty. (Source: US Coast Guard)

Explosion in small lithium-Ion battery led to 3 million in damages on oil tanker

The NTSB highlights potential fire risks of lithium-ion batteries in this paper about a fire at s...

Explosion in small lithium-Ion battery led to 3 million in damages on oil tanker

Aerial view of the derailment (Photograph courtesy of BNSF)

Using thermally resistant gaskets could reduce the severity of hazmat releases in train derailments ...

NTSB´s report of the Jan 8 2022 trail derailment. 601,819 gallons / 2,3 million liters of ethanol wa...

Using thermally resistant gaskets could reduce the severity of hazmat releases in train derailments - NTSB report

Map of Shepherd, Texas, located about one hour from Houston.

Chemical explosion in Texas: Stay-at-home-warning issued

Chemicals in smoke could cause serious eye damage or eye irritation, skin corrosion or irritation, a...

Chemical explosion in Texas: Stay-at-home-warning issued

LNG container of Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. at Shin-Fuji Station, Kushiro.

The US imposes a ban on bulk transport of LNG by rail effective October 31 2023

This final rule overturns a rule from the Trump administration which allowed for the bulk transport ...

The US imposes a ban on bulk transport of LNG by rail effective October 31 2023

Presumably a technical defect led to the explosion of a 30 kWh battery storage unit in Lauterbach, Germany. Image: Vogelsberger Zeitung, Freiwillige Feuerwehr Lauterbach Löschzug Ost

Several recent fires and explosions in home battery energy storage systems in Austria and Germany

Just like large BESSs, battery storage systems in private homes can cause fires, and often it is iss...

Several recent fires and explosions in home battery energy storage systems in Austria and Germany

https://dayton247now.com/news/local/city-of-piqua-lithium-ion-battery-testing-to-stop-company-leaving-piqua

Fire department lithium battery fire training facility shut down from public pressure

The lithium fire training in Ohio was part of a research and development initiative to provide limit...

Fire department lithium battery fire training facility shut down from public pressure

The CTIF HazMat Commission during the Fall meeting, third week of October 2023.

The CTIF HazMat Commission met for three days in Franfurt am Main

The meeting topics like the climate crisis, hazmat accidents, future education, Training & exerc...

The CTIF HazMat Commission met for three days in Franfurt am Main

This image, which was originally posted to Flickr, was uploaded to Commons using Flickr upload bot on 5 August 2013, 01:25 by Oaktree b. On that date, it was confirmed to be licensed under the terms of the license indicated. Downloaded from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hazmatspotting_UN_1005,_%22Ammonia,_anhydrous%22.jpg

15000 liters / 4000 gallons of anhydrous ammonia leaked in tanker crash - 5 dead

In addition to the 5 deaths, multiple injuries have also been reported as the result of inhaling the...

15000 liters / 4000 gallons of anhydrous ammonia leaked in tanker crash - 5 dead

Three tips from Firetrace International for safer lithium battery handling and storage

Divide large BESSs into smaller ones, install battery control systems and use sprinklers.

Three tips from Firetrace International for safer lithium battery handling and storage

By Municipal Affairs and Housing - St. Catharines Downtown | Centre-ville de St. Catharines, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=97516767

Fire services in St. Catharines sues hazmat company on 84 counts for death of a worker

The Ontario Fire Marshal is still conducting an investigation into the explosion.

Fire services in St. Catharines sues hazmat company on 84 counts for death of a worker

The second explosion injured 26 firefighters on August 26, 2023, near Bucharest. Photo: Bucharest Fire Services

26 firefighters injured in LPG explosion in Romania

A total of 46 people are reported to be injured and 1 person was killed at the gas station incident ...

26 firefighters injured in LPG explosion in Romania

Large oil fire in the Russian port city of Novorossiysk

42 firefighters were reportedly on the scene. Locals who are watching the fire from their apartments...

Large oil fire in the Russian port city of Novorossiysk

Diagram illustrating a standard bicycle converted to an electric bicycle using a retail conversion kit. Photo by Mikefairbanks, Wikipedia Commons License.

Conversion kits the most fire prone e-bikes according to London Fire Brigade

40 % of all UK e-bike fires are caused by home converted e-bike are currently not included in UK reg...

Conversion kits the most fire prone e-bikes according to London Fire Brigade

Firefighters extinguishing a fire after the explosion which killed 35 people at a petrol station near Makhachkala, Dagestan, on Monday night, August 14, 2023. Photo provided by the Ministry of Emergency Situations

35 people killed and more than 100 injured in gas station explosion in Dagestan

Russia’s Health Ministry said 115 people were injured in the explosion and fire that followed.

35 people killed and more than 100 injured in gas station explosion in Dagestan

One lithium battery fire every two days: London Fire Brigade issues new warning for e-bike and e-sco...

A resident was almost killed in Kilburn in August. She had left the vehicle overnight, blocking her ...

One lithium battery fire every two days: London Fire Brigade issues new warning for e-bike and e-scooter fires

Lihium-Ion battery bank started offgassing in hospital: 80 people evacuated due to toxic fumes

Fire crews determined that a power bank of lithium-ion batteries was off-gassing and called for hazm...

Lihium-Ion battery bank started offgassing in hospital: 80 people evacuated due to toxic fumes

Police helicopter view of Lac-Mégantic, the day of the derailment, July 6, 2013. By Sûreté du Québec - https://twitter.com/sureteduquebec/status/353519189769732096/photo/1, CC BY-SA 1.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27152159.

Railway safety experts experts say railway hazmat risks are still "too high" - 10 years after the La...

Railway safety experts are claiming safety has not improved much since that fateful day when 47 peop...

Railway safety experts experts say railway hazmat risks are still "too high" - 10 years after the Lac-Mégantic disaster

Screenshot from the ABC News video about the hearings around the East Palestine Derailment.

Large HazMat training need identified for volunteer fire departments - It took nearly one hour to i...

On June 22-23, two days of hearings were held by the US National Transportation Safety Board on what...

Large HazMat training need identified for volunteer fire departments - It took nearly one hour to identify chemicals in East Palestine derailment

An explosives contractor prepares for the vent and burn of vinyl chloride in this image included in NTSB documents released Thursday. (NTSB)

Railroad company gave fire chief 13 minutes to decide on vent and burn in Ohio vinyl chloride incid...

The decision to vent and burn off the hazardous materials was the best decision Fire Chief Keith Dra...

Railroad company gave fire chief 13 minutes to decide on vent and burn in Ohio vinyl chloride incident

Aerial view of Ängelholm, Sweden. By Pär-Martin Hedberg - Riksantikvarieämbetet på denna plats (Bjäre Ängelholm_HIO4533.JPG), CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77844480

Hydrogen Sulphide: Criminal investigation into case of six firefighters injured and two workers dea...

On Thursday, HazMat personnel wearing chemical suits and respirators began the cleanup of the Omni P...

Hydrogen Sulphide: Criminal investigation into case of six firefighters injured and two workers dead in industrial accident

Milan city skyline. Wikipedia Commons License.

Fire in oxygen tanks on a transport truck caused huge explosions in Milan

A dozen explosions reportedly erupted and the fire likely started in the engine compartment of the t...

Fire in oxygen tanks on a transport truck caused huge explosions in Milan

The May 2023 meeting in Mulhouse of the CTIF HazMat Commission.

The spring HazMat meeting in Mulhouse

The Commission will be sharing lessons learned from each country attending and discussing the impact...

The spring HazMat meeting in Mulhouse

A photo from one of the readers of Göteborgsposten captured the fire in the 9000 kilo lithium-Ion container.

Large lithium battery fires emitted hydrogen fluoride and led to evacuations in Gothenburg and Jacks...

A 20,000 pound lithium-ion battery caught fire inside a battery factory. A day later a similar amoun...

Large lithium battery fires emitted hydrogen fluoride and led to evacuations in Gothenburg and Jacksonville

An electric Ford F-150 Lightning caught fire on Feb. 4, 2023 due to a battery issue traced back to one of the automaker’s suppliers. The blaze spread to two other electric pickups in a holding lot of Ford’s in Dearborn, Michigan. Photo by Dearborn Police Department

Spontaneously combusting battery in EV pickup truck burned so hot two other vehicles melted - outsid...

The high voltage battery pack had short-circuited due to a manufacturing issue when cells were at a ...

Spontaneously combusting battery in EV pickup truck burned so hot two other vehicles melted - outside on a holding lot

The De Guzman -Villanueva family, Mark (father), Dexie (mother), Mc Kenxie, Kairie, and Keziah. — Photo Source: Facebook / Leknaan Ya Pozorrubio, Inc.

Family of five, and two young persons died in lithium battery fires - the e-bike discourse goes glob...

An investigation showed an e-bike was left plugged in overnight on the ground floor of the family&#0...

Family of five, and two young persons died in lithium battery fires - the e-bike discourse goes global

Smoke rises from a fire on the Kodiak Enterprise in Tacoma, Washington, in a photo released by the Washington Department of Ecology on April 8, 2023. Washington Department of Ecology

Ship full of freon on fire: shelter-in-place order for freon release and smoke near Seattle

19000 pounds of freon may have been released during the fire. Freon can be toxic if inhaled in large...

Ship full of freon on fire: shelter-in-place order for freon release and smoke near Seattle

Google Maps showing the Rothenburgsort industrial park.

Hydrogen sulphide in smoke from warehouse fire caused evacuations in Hamburg

200 firefighters from the Hamburg fire brigade had brought the situation under control by early Sund...

Hydrogen sulphide in smoke from warehouse fire caused evacuations in Hamburg

Marseille, France. Photo credit: Wikipedia Commons

At least four dead in residential gas explosion in Marseille

Two nearby apartment blocks partially collapsed a few hours later. No further reports of injuries fr...

At least four dead in residential gas explosion in Marseille

Smoke from the fire after the East Palestine Derailment. By thunderlips36, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=128970663

Train company Norfolk Southern pays back fire stations for their damaged equipment after Ohio HazMat...

Fire stations lost a lot of equipment after the release of vinyl chloride: hose line, turnout gear, ...

Train company Norfolk Southern pays back fire stations for their damaged equipment after Ohio HazMat accident

Fire crew members from the Birmingham Fire & Rescue in Alabama with the exploded barrels of lithium batteries in the background. Photo: Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department

Barrels of discarded lithium batteries exploded during transport on their way to recycling

The fire crews were able to identify the barrels of batteries that had exploded and contained the fi...

Barrels of discarded lithium batteries exploded during transport on their way to recycling

Large increase in lithium battery related fires in London

London Fire Brigade were called to 88 fires caused by privately owned e-bikes last year. Following t...

Large increase in lithium battery related fires in London

Photo from a test by the Fire Research Institute

New York bans E-Bike lithium batteries not labelled by national safety inspection

Both sellers and users who break the rules could be fined up to $1,000. The bill would take effect s...

New York bans E-Bike lithium batteries not labelled by national safety inspection

A screenshot of a passenger video showing smoke coming form the overhead compartment in the Spirit Airlines flight where a lithium battery is believed to have started a fire.

Lithium battery fire started onboard in mid flight - plane forced to make emergency landing

- Someone yelled FIRE and I look up to see the cabin filling with smoke very fast, a passenger told ...

Lithium battery fire started onboard in mid flight - plane forced to make emergency landing

HazMat derailment in Ohio turns into large political conflict - public health concern over toxic che...

The local Fire Department needs all new equipment following the train derailment that took place nea...

HazMat derailment in Ohio turns into large political conflict - public health concern over toxic chemical release

A view of the Y-12 facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. (Google Earth)

Emergency responders called out to a fire involving uranium

A fire at an enriched uranium processing facility did not result in any radioactive release accordin...

Emergency responders called out to a fire involving uranium

A mobile phone photo of the burning 5000 pound propane tank.

A 5000 pound propane bottle caught fire near highway - first responders created a one mile evacuatio...

The 5 thousand-pound propane tank rolled off the road and caught fire. Multiple fire and rescue unit...

A 5000 pound propane bottle caught fire near highway - first responders created a one mile evacuation zone

A controlled release of vinyl chloride performed after HazMat train derailment - due to explosion ri...

Fire department needs all new equipment after contamination. Large public health concern over severa...

A controlled release of vinyl chloride performed after HazMat train derailment - due to explosion risk

Photo by: Fire Safety Research Institute. When lithium-ion batteries fail or overheat, they release flammable, toxic gases that can spark a fast-spreading fire that is extremely difficult to extinguish

The Fire Commissioner of New York demands a ban of bad aftermarket E-bike lithium batteries

Many apartment buildings in NYC banned E-scooters already in December. Now the NYC Fire Commissioner...

The Fire Commissioner of New York demands a ban of bad aftermarket E-bike lithium batteries

Generic photo of a United Airlines jetliner. The aircraft on the photo is not the same as in the incident described in this article. Wikipedia Commons License. Source: United Airlines - N772UA Author: InSapphoWeTrust from Los Angeles, California, USA

Several airline passengers and cabin crew hospitalized from smoke inhalation when laptop battery cau...

A United Airlines flight which left San Diego Tuesday morning made an emergency landing after an ext...

Several airline passengers and cabin crew hospitalized from smoke inhalation when laptop battery caught fire mid air

Photo by the team from Metro Fire of Sacramento who responded to the EV fire on January 28th, 2023.

Electric vehicle spontaneously caught fire while driving on the highway

The battery cells continued to re- combust and were extinguished with 6,000 gallons - or 23, 000 li...

Electric vehicle spontaneously caught fire while driving on the highway

Photo Credit: (Cover Photo Above) The IAEA headquarters with member flags in Vienna. Creative Commons License. Photo from 2022 by Schölla Schwarz.

IAEA concerned about nuclear safety in the Ukraine after months of combat near power plants

Teams of nuclear safety and security experts from the IAEA have been stationed at Ukraine’s nuclear ...

IAEA concerned about nuclear safety in the Ukraine after months of combat near power plants

Photo credit: The Grenfell tower fire on June 14, 2017. Wikipedia Commons License

High concentrations of toxins in high risefires like Grenfell possibly linked to firefighter cancer

Large fires involving synthetic materials create high levels of toxic contaminants. According to stu...

High concentrations of toxins in high risefires like Grenfell possibly linked to firefighter cancer

Several Lebanese officials allegedly named to be sued for the 2020 ammonium nitrate explosion in Bei...

The explosion destroyed 77,000 apartments, killed 200 and wounded 7,000 people, and displaced over 3...

Several Lebanese officials allegedly named to be sued for the 2020 ammonium nitrate explosion in Beirut

Public Domain Vector drawing of a nuclear explosion behind a generic city skyline

Research team on Cypress urges the public to prepare for the possibility of nuclear attacks

Pr. Dimitris Drikakis believes the public needs to consider the nuclear threat with the same level o...

Research team on Cypress urges the public to prepare for the possibility of nuclear attacks

Large explosion and fire at French lithium battery warehouse

It is estimated around 8,000 lithium batteries have been destroyed. The fire then spread to a nearby...

Large explosion and fire at French lithium battery warehouse

Diagram of a retrofitted e-bike. Wikipedia Commons Licence. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Electric_Bicycle_Diagram.jpg

More fires caused by lithium batteries recorded in the first few days of 2023

Eleven people were displaced after two fires ignited in Brockton, Massachusetts. Firefighters believ...

More fires caused by lithium batteries recorded in the first few days of 2023

2022

A screen shot from the video of explosion in the Russian shopping center.

Large fire and explosion in Russian shopping center

In the Moscow region, firefighters have been putting out a fire the size of 7,000 square metres (75,...

Large fire and explosion in Russian shopping center

Photo: Screenshot from Twitter video upload

BLEVE under a downtown bridge caused by propane from a homeless camp

An explosion and a fire under the Toronto Bathurst Street bridge was watched by a large number of re...

BLEVE under a downtown bridge caused by propane from a homeless camp

Explosive fire developments caused by E-bike lithium batteries a growing problem

Apartment complexes have in extreme cases banned E-bikes and E-scooters since recent fires and NYFD ...

Explosive fire developments caused by E-bike lithium batteries a growing problem

Firefighter using foam. Wikipedia Commons License, photo by https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Mtnytal

CTIF urges the EU for a 10 year extension to transition periods for fluorine-free firefighting foams

It could get costly for fire services with only 1,5 years to stop using flourine fire fighting foam...

CTIF urges the EU for a 10 year extension to transition periods for fluorine-free firefighting foams

Photo by the Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service.

13 dead in a nightclub fire in Russia

The fire started by a flare gun, which an intoxicated customer had set off on the dance floor.

13 dead in a nightclub fire in Russia

Decladding high-rise flats in Aberdeen on front in 2017, Bayview Court, 4 August 2017. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons License.

First legal action taken against UK high rise building to remove dangerous cladding

The controversy has been who should carry the costs of removing and replacing the dangerous cladding...

First legal action taken against UK high rise building to remove dangerous cladding

Car has flood damage from Hurricane Irene. Original public domain image from Flickr Public Domain Free U.S. Government Image

Electric vehicles catching fire after being submerged in salt water during Hurricane Ian

Several electric vehicles have been reported spontaneously catching fire after they have been expose...

Electric vehicles catching fire after being submerged in salt water during Hurricane Ian

Scene of the explosion in Creeslough, Donegal, Ireland, which occurred on 7 October 2022. Photo: BBC / Wikipedia Fair Use license

Ten died in large gas station explosion in Ireland

Irish police say it was likely an accident or unforeseen technical failure which caused the explosio...

Ten died in large gas station explosion in Ireland

Two engines, a truck company, and an incident commander were initially dispatched to the incident bringing 14 firefighters to the scene.

Up to 150 000 liters of water needed to put out a fire in an electric car

Due to the construction and placement of the battery pack, it is difficult to reach the the fire in ...

Up to 150 000 liters of water needed to put out a fire in an electric car

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kernkraftwerk_Saporischschja.JPG

The world could be at the brink of a very large nuclear disaster, according to IAEA

The IAEA urges both sides to establish a nuclear safety zone around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power p...

The world could be at the brink of a very large nuclear disaster, according to IAEA

Photo: Screen shot from Sacramento Metro Fire Department Facebook video

Fire department ad hocs new extinguishing method for EV battery fire - with minimal water runoff

The Tesla was moved on its side but kept reigniting due to the residual heat. The fire crew then cre...

Fire department ad hocs new extinguishing method for EV battery fire - with minimal water runoff

Massive Chlorine Leak in Jordan - 12 dead and over 250 Injured

An intermodel tank container was reportedly dropped while being offloaded from a ship resulting a ma...

Massive Chlorine Leak in Jordan - 12 dead and over 250 Injured

A lithium-ion battery was exposed to force by using a hammer to test its fire safety. The battery in this test exploded. Photo: Tavo Romann / Wikipedia Commons

Large increase in lithium battery related fires over the last 6 years

The warning involves not only electric vehicles but anything from cell phones, headphones and comput...

Large increase in lithium battery related fires over the last 6 years

Felicity Ace. Photo by the Portuguese Coast Guard.

Burning ship carrying lithium EV cars sank outside of the Azores

The cargo ship Felicity Ace, carrying thousands of cars, has sunk due to the fire onboard which occu...

Burning ship carrying lithium EV cars sank outside of the Azores

IAEA guidelines for first response during the crucial hours following a nuclear event

CTIF sponsored document in multiple languages for the first crucial hours following a radiological e...

IAEA guidelines for first response during the crucial hours following a nuclear event

2021

HyResponder training package on the e-Platform

This is the official newsletter from the CTIF-supported hydrogen training project HyResponder.

HyResponder training package on the e-Platform

Photo of the burning ship by the Swedish Coast Guard

Burning ship towed to the Port of Gothenburg - despite concerns of hazardous leaks and possible expl...

The decision was made despite the Port of Gothenburg recommending other alternatives.

Burning ship towed to the Port of Gothenburg - despite concerns of hazardous leaks and possible explosions

98 dead in tank truck explosion in Sierra Leone

The tanker collided with another truck as it was pulling into a gas station near a busy intersection...

98 dead in tank truck explosion in Sierra Leone

An aerial photo of Chempark, an industrial park home to many chemical plants. Photo: Wikipedia Commons.

Two dead and several injured in industrial explosion in Germany

A warning with the message Extreme Danger was sent via a crisis app and Germanys health authorities ...

Two dead and several injured in industrial explosion in Germany

Large explosion at a chemical plant evacuated 1000 people near Chicago

An explosion at a chemical plant in northern Illinois created massive fires and thick black smoke hi...

Large explosion at a chemical plant evacuated 1000 people near Chicago

200 firefighters responded to a large refinery fire in Tehran

On the 2nd of June, firefighters extinguished the fire after a long and tough technical fire operati...

200 firefighters responded to a large refinery fire in Tehran

Overview if the Beijing shopping mall where a lithium battery explosion killed two firefighters on April 16.

Accident analysis of the Beijing lithium battery explosion which killed two firefighters

Here is the downloadable report from the incident, translated within the network of the HyResponder ...

Accident analysis of the Beijing lithium battery explosion which killed two firefighters

Only a few spots left for the CTIF Seminar - Here is the full program

We have participants registered from over 40 countries - register now for the last spots as we only ...

Only a few spots left for the CTIF Seminar - Here is the full program

The Italian CBRN team on mission in Beirut in August 2020.

Stefania Fiore tops April 22 Seminar speaker list with Beirut CBRN mission during Covid-19 pandemic

The CBRN mission was dangerous and complicated during the aftermath of the blast.

Stefania Fiore tops April 22 Seminar speaker list with Beirut CBRN mission during Covid-19 pandemic

The photo shows the airport in Sicily when the corona virus first appeared there. Photo by TV.com

Early detection and closed borders is how Taiwan claims to have conquered the Corona virus

How did such a densely populated country become the best in the world at fighting the novel Corona v...

Early detection and closed borders is how Taiwan claims to have conquered the Corona virus

The first CTIF Best Practice Procedures Award was given to Michel Gentilleau for the outstanding work he and his colleague Serge Delauney have carried out regarding new energies and vehicles.

Michel Gentilleau and Serge Delauney received the CTIF Best Practice Award

In the report from Delegates Assembly 2015, we can read that CTIF gave out an award for Best Practic...

Michel Gentilleau and Serge Delauney received the CTIF Best Practice Award

The area in Madrd affected by the Jan 20 explosion. Photo by Emergencias Madrid

Five floors destroyed and falling debris crushed cars in deadly Madrid explosion

At least three people have been killed 11 people injured in the explosion thought to have been cause...

Five floors destroyed and falling debris crushed cars in deadly Madrid explosion

2020

Mikko Saastamoinen awarded "Firefighter of the Year 2020" in Finland for his work on implementing th...

Finland was first among the Nordic countries to implement the new ISO 17840 standard, as CTIF News w...

Mikko Saastamoinen awarded "Firefighter of the Year 2020" in Finland for his work on implementing the CTIF-ISO 17840 standard

The upper floors of Grenfell Tower after the fire. Photo by Wikipedia

Ex-employee admits fire tests for Grenfell styrofoam panels were fake

Celotex behaved in a “completely unethical” way, admitted Jonathan Roper, a former assistant product...

Ex-employee admits fire tests for Grenfell styrofoam panels were fake

Gas fuel firefighting training in Greece. Photo: The Hellenic Volunteer Firefighters Association

News from Hellenic Volunteer Firefighters Association

Panagiotis Plexidas, 27, was battling a brush fire along with his colleagues of the Volunteer Fire S...

News from Hellenic Volunteer Firefighters Association

Mikko being interviewed for a social media campaign about the ISO standard being implemented in Finland. Photo by Kimmo Kaisto, Pelastustieto- magazine

Finland first among Nordic countries to implement the new ISO 17840 standard for alternative propuls...

Using fire trucks as an example has been a very successful strategy in Finland - there have been sev...

Finland first among Nordic countries to implement the new ISO 17840 standard for alternative propulsion vehicles

2020: All physical CTIF meetings postponed or cancelled until further notice - continued strong advi...

IMPORTANT INFORMATION UPDATE: VIRTUAL DELEGATES ASSEMBLY on October 21st, 2020

2020: All physical CTIF meetings postponed or cancelled until further notice - continued strong advice against travel

Hydrogen Response - Please support this CTIF partner project by taking the survey

CITF is part of an EU training project - help us understand your needs by taking the survey.

Hydrogen Response - Please support this CTIF partner project by taking the survey

The 1967 Martelange truck explosion. Historical photo

Historical events: The 1967 Martelange truck explosion killed 22 people in Belgium

22 people died and 59 were injured after a gas truck lost control downhill in high speed.

Historical events: The 1967 Martelange truck explosion killed 22 people in Belgium

French SAr-specialists on their way to Beirut. Photo by the UIISC 1.

CTIF member countries send SAR teams to help with Beirut´s efforts to find survivors

Cloud seeding is the formal term for manipulating rain clouds. Illustration by Wikipedia.

Russia fights Siberian forest fires by manipulating rain clouds

This method aims to control how much rain an area receives and where the rain falls. This is not a m...

Russia fights Siberian forest fires by manipulating rain clouds

Map over Seoul and Incheon, South Korea. Illustration by Google Maps

Oil mist explosion may have caused the construction site fire that killed 38 people in South Korea

Many workers were trapped underground and died before the 335 firefighters called out to the scene w...

Oil mist explosion may have caused the construction site fire that killed 38 people in South Korea

The La Tuna wildfire in Los Angeles 2017 was the largest in Los Angeles history. This image was originally posted to Flickr by Koala Yummies at https://flickr.com/photos/41802269@N03/36802535882. It was reviewed on 22 September 2017 by FlickreviewR and was confirmed to be licensed under the terms of the cc-by-sa-2.0.

Extraordinary challenges for fire services preparing for wildfire season during pandemic measures

Wildfire season and COVID-19: How to safely evacuate without spreading the virus?

Extraordinary challenges for fire services preparing for wildfire season during pandemic measures

New NFPA Resource to Help First Responders Manage Infection Control During COVID-19

Key Takeaways from NFPA 1581 and the CDC Guidance: Designate an Infection Control Officer. According...

New NFPA Resource to Help First Responders Manage Infection Control During COVID-19

Researchers may have found a way to safely reuse masks during the COVID-19 crisis

"Autoclaving", a form of pressure cooking, is found in nearly every hospital setting, was ...

Researchers may have found a way to safely reuse masks during the COVID-19 crisis

Firefighters in Italy wearing hazmat suits during the pandemic. Photo by Marco Aimo Boot.

Italy´s Lessons Learned about their rapid COVID-19 outbreak could help the rest of the world

Italy´s advice: Isolate the infected into separate hospitals"! - "The biggest mistake was...

Italy´s Lessons Learned about their rapid COVID-19 outbreak could help the rest of the world

Confirmed cases per million people around the world as of April 1, 2020. Illustration by Wikipedia.

COVID-19 cases per million not the same thing as total amount of confirmed cases

Switzerland, Italy, Spain,and Belgium top the list of the world´s most COVID-19 dense countries with...

COVID-19 cases per million not the same thing as total amount of confirmed cases

EMS staff in a hazmat suit. Screen shot from a Belgian instructional video.

How to disinfect an ambulance: Instructional video from Belgium

Place all used and contaminated material visible on the stretcher or table in advance. Like this, w...

How to disinfect an ambulance: Instructional video from Belgium

A Slovenian EMS-worker undressing his hazmat PPE. Screenshot from an instructional video by the Slovenian Fire Academy.

Instructional videos for COVID-19 pandemic procedures from the Slovenian Fire Academy

Example of Corona pandemic ambulance protocol in France : SDIS 86

Specific PPE, protocol to dress and undress. As little possible contact between rescuers and patient...

Example of Corona pandemic ambulance protocol in France : SDIS 86

Two firefighters holding a hose. Photo by Pxfuel.com

COVID-19: Fire and rescue services in the UK lose hundreds of firefighters to self-isolation

Cars buried in fallen bricks from buildings damaged in Sunday´s 5,4 earthquake near Zagreb. Photo: Private

Large earthquake shook Croatia in the middle of Corona pandemic

A 15-year-old child buried in debris from a damaged building has been found and taken to hospital.

Large earthquake shook Croatia in the middle of Corona pandemic

First responders handbook: Hazardous materials CBRNE

This handbook for hazardous materials was produced by virtue of Nordic collaboration in accordance w...

First responders handbook: Hazardous materials CBRNE

Corona pandemic first responder in Italy, during the worst of the crisis there.

New rescue procedures forced into place for pandemic stricken countries in lockdown

Read how CTIF member Marco Aimo Boot operates in Italy during the current Corona-shutdown of his cou...

New rescue procedures forced into place for pandemic stricken countries in lockdown

Minutes from November´s Extrication & New Technology Meeting

The next Commission meeting will be in Poitiers, France, during the Technical days (13-14-15 of May)...

Minutes from November´s Extrication & New Technology Meeting

Dec. 30, 2013, Casselton, N.D: An oil train crashed into a grain car, causing explosions and a fire and forcing the partial evacuation of the town. No one was hurt. 2July 6, Lac-Mégantic, Quebec: An unattended oil train rolled away, crashed

Pipelines vs road transports: Controversial debates around fuel transport

"Latest Pacific Rail derailment spilled 5 times as much oil as the Husky pipeline leak in 2016&...

Pipelines vs road transports: Controversial debates around fuel transport

Hydrogen response training. Photo by CTIF France

CTIF and partners begin a European project to train first responders on hydrogen safety

The HyResponder project will develop and implement a sustainable “train the trainer” program.

CTIF and partners begin a European project to train first responders on hydrogen safety

The chemical explosion near Tarragona as seen from a nearby town.

Three dead in explosion at a chemical factory in Spain

Meet Ivana Kruijff-Korbayová - CTIF´s expert on robot assisted response

Dr Kruijff-Korbayová investigates human-robot teamwork and develops technology for robot-assisted di...

Meet Ivana Kruijff-Korbayová - CTIF´s expert on robot assisted response

North America´s oil field waste could get mined for lithium to EV batteries

Waste from the Canadian tar sands could be a viable way to mine for lithium in a more environmentall...

North America´s oil field waste could get mined for lithium to EV batteries

Both the police and fire service attended the fire on Ytterøyningen (image: Corvus)

Explosion on Norwegian battery hybrid ferry may have been caused by the fire extinguishing system

A seawater fire extinguishing system that had been installed as an additional safety precaution on t...

Explosion on Norwegian battery hybrid ferry may have been caused by the fire extinguishing system

2019

"The evidence on firefighters´cancer is clear. What are senior management & WHS waiting for?"

"Every Fire Service in the world should be practicing basic fireground decontamination. It cost...

"The evidence on firefighters´cancer is clear. What are senior management & WHS waiting for?"

Screen shot of the Guardian´s YouTube video form the petrochemical fire in Texas.

60,000 forced to evacuate during huge petrochemical fire in Texas

Wikipedia diagram of a typical hybrid vehicle.

New innovative technology promises a safer and more effective type of batteries

Zinc and manganese is the same basic raw materials as for alkaline non-rechargable batteries.

New innovative technology promises a safer and more effective type of batteries

Vehicle propulsion types in the CTIF ISO standard.

A new world wide ISO standard for vehicle rescue & marking

The CTIF International Association of Fire and Rescue Service has created an international standard ...

A new world wide ISO standard for vehicle rescue & marking

22 metric tonnes of titanium on fire near radioactive waste treatment plant

Swedish fire services had to bury the titanium in huge amounts of sand and powder to suffocate it. W...

22 metric tonnes of titanium on fire near radioactive waste treatment plant

The CTIF Seminar in Ostrava Day 1 - See videos from the lecturers!

See videos here of some of the events of Day 1 of the seminar! More complete videos with presentatio...

The CTIF Seminar in Ostrava Day 1 - See videos from the lecturers!

Air Ministry Second World War Official Collection Date between 1939 and 1945. Photo: Wikipedia Commons License

Two were killed by World War II bomb

46 injured from a carbon monoxide leak at a motel

The exploded hydrogen refulling station in Sandvika, Norway.

Hydrogen refuelling plant explodes in Norway

The explosion was very powerful and triggered airbags in nearby cars. A safety zone of 500 meters wa...

Hydrogen refuelling plant explodes in Norway

Bio gas bus fire in Malmö, Sweden, on May 28, 2019

How safe are bio gas vehicles for firefighters? - New incident involving CNG bus

If a firefighter had been near the bus when the fire plume shot out, serious injuries or death could...

How safe are bio gas vehicles for firefighters? - New incident involving CNG bus

Vote for change and better HazMat labeling: support the UNECOSOC transport of dangerous goods, toxic...

Vote for change and better HazMat labeling: support the UNECOSOC transport of dangerous goods, toxic and flammable gases

A Texaco Crude Oil Tank Blazes Against the Night after Being Struck by Lightning 09/1972 U.S. National Archives’ Local Identifier: 412-DA-1411 Photographer: Olive, Jim

Court rules local government has no right to restrict hazardous crude oil being pipelined through th...

Court rules local government has no right to restrict hazardous crude oil being pipelined through the province

The ship was being repaired when the CO2 leak occurred that killed 10 people in China on Saturday.

Ten people killed by a fire extinguishing system

The CNG bus fire in Stockholm, March 2019. Photo by an eye witness to the accident.

The cause of the Stockholm CNG bus explosion has now been determined

A 2-way communication radio with poor audibility, delays and the driver not noticing posted road sig...

The cause of the Stockholm CNG bus explosion has now been determined

The CTIF Seminar Fire, Rescue & New Challenges 2019 - Ostrava, Czechia October 25-26

The CTIF Seminar 2019 will focus on four sub headlines: Communications, New Procedures, Innovations ...

The CTIF Seminar Fire, Rescue & New Challenges 2019 - Ostrava, Czechia October 25-26

Screen shot of the propane bus explosion in central Stockholm. Photo by Expressen.se

CNG propelled buss exploded in central Stockholm - reason unknown

The bus carried bio gas bottles on the roof that may have hit the tunnel opening which then started ...

CNG propelled buss exploded in central Stockholm - reason unknown

A firefighter shaving his head in support of colleagues fighting cancer.

Smoke and soot from synthetics the greatest killer of firefighters

Modern homes and businesses are full of synthetics, plastics and chemicals that can explode much fas...

Smoke and soot from synthetics the greatest killer of firefighters

Windsor Fire and Rescue chief training officer Paul Acton says studies are finding oil-based products lead to rapid fire spread and rapid combustion.

200 times more smoke and 8 times faster burning rate than 50 years ago

The rapid burning rates of modern homes vs legacy homes are starting to become known in public media

200 times more smoke and 8 times faster burning rate than 50 years ago

Rescue personelle working to save victims during the Mexico pipe line explosion. Photo: Screenshot from the Guardian´s video.

Pipeline explosion killed at least 89 people in Mexico

The accident occurred when people were trying to steal the oil that was pouring out from a breach in...

Pipeline explosion killed at least 89 people in Mexico

2018

2017

2016

Manas International Airport firefighter Stas Suleymanov demonstrates to Airmen the use of the Kyrgyz AA-60 fire engine water canon using water pumped from a 376th Air Expeditionary Wing fire truck. The 376th AEW fire department routinely trains with their MIA and other Kyrgyz counterparts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Daniel Nathaniel) VIRIN: 070225-F-6504N-002. Wikipedia Commons License.

Environmental legislation against foam causes extreme challenges for firefighters at airports - and ...

Foam lingers longer than water in the environment and not all of the foam spillage can be effectivel...

Environmental legislation against foam causes extreme challenges for firefighters at airports - and could put passengers at risk

2014

CSB Recommends Safety Improvements to U.S. Department of Transportation Emergency Response Guidebook...

CSB Recommends Safety Improvements to U.S. Department of Transportation Emergency Response Guidebook Widely Used by Firefighters

Gas car explodes: Driver dead, ten firefighters injured

2013