At 7h10, an explosion occurred in a batch chemical reactor (8 m3 nominal capacity) which contained 1.5 m3 of waste solvent containing pharmaceutical intermediates and by products in a pharmaceutical industry.

A runaway chemical reaction occurred in the chemical reactor, producing too much gas and vapours for the pressure relieving device to vent the reactor safety. Debris from the ruptured chemical reactor punctured storage vessels in the Process Building and storage tanks in bunded areas adjacent to the process building resulting in another explosion and subsequent fires (domino effects). Damages and associated costs estimated in about 20 millions Euros.

The Chemical Reactor was used to store a mixture of Isopropyl Alcohol, 1,1 bis (Methyl Thio)-2-Nitroethene and N-Methyl-1-Methyl Thio-2-Nitro Ethenamine. The reactor had been used as an intermediate storage vessel for 6 days prior to the explosion. The batch reactor was designed specifically to recover the Isopropyl Alcohol from the waste liquors. The reactor was commissioned in 1991 and designed to British Standard B.S.5500, Category 2. The other chemicals were stored in various chemical reactors and storage tanks in the production building involved (Chemical Building No 2-CB2) as well as in storage tanks in the bunded area adjacent to the building.

The plant emergency shut-down procedures were activated and the alarms sounded. The on-site emergency services and the off-site emergency services (approximately 50 people) were mobilised and the resulting fires were extinguished in 6 hours. Police suspended traffic on nearby roads. Two employees received minor injuries from debris. Fire water run-off contaminated harbour waters and foreshore. Water distribution to the community was interrupted for 24 hours. The process equipment were decontaminated and the building dismantled. The operator reviewed on-site emergency procedures and fire water retention capacities.