During the start-up phase at an aluminium moulding facility, fire spread via the smoke extraction ducts. Employees, both on-site and in the adjoining workshop, were evacuated. Gas and electricity services were shut off, which in turn stopped the extraction fan. Fire-fighter response to cool the ducts only used 300 l of water.

This fire resulted from flames originating at one of the mould preheating burners returning into an extraction pipe. The calamine contained in the extraction ducts, stemming from soot deposits and smoke condensation, triggered combustion propagation that went unchecked due to a malfunctioning fire damper.

Feedback from this accident led to implementing quarterly inspections of fouling in smoke extraction ducts and fire damper operations. Also, fire-fighter alert messaging was improved to facilitate locating accident outbreaks at the site.