An explosion followed by fire occurred while transferring contents of an alcohol cistern. This accident arose when moving 35,000 hl of raw alcohol from tanks 29 and 32 via the pumping station to a moored boat. Tank 32 had already been emptied and dried. To ensure complete drying of the tank bottoms and various pipelines, the facility operator used the cistern where a power pump had been installed. A hose not compliant with specifications provided in the ADR Hazardous Substances Transport Regulations was attached to this cistern. During tank drying, a stainless steel elbow fastened to the hose was submerged at the tank bottom. To dry the full length of pipelines, they were directly connected to the hose. Cistern transfer to the pumping station was ongoing as the accident took place.

A leak occurred on the joint located between the power pump and hose attached to the cistern, which itself was directly connected to the pumping station and thus contained 0.16 tonnes of alcohol. Given the weather conditions (heat wave), this leak produced an alcohol cloud that ignited in contact with a hot spot (motor), in forming an Unconfined Vapour Cloud Explosion (UVCE) that generated a powerful heat flux (fire) and pressure surge (deflagration). An employee noticing the leak on the joint intervened on the pump and successfully turned it off while sustaining burns by the UVCE-induced flames. The fire spread to a utility truck parked near the pumping station (whose purpose was to transport an air compressor used at the end of the drainage process). A tractor moved the cistern outside the high-risk zone and the blaze could be battled with water hoses. Fire-fighters ultimately extinguished the outbreak using a foam hose. The Inspection Authorities for Classified Facilities proposed that the Prefect order the operator to comply with all indications listed in his operating permit. As regards the installation and efforts to dry pipelines and tank bottoms, Inspectors also suggested the Prefect require the company, upon approval of the Departmental Hygiene Council, to implement all compensatory measures needed to preserve site safety, in addition to submitting evidence and an explanatory file relative to these measures prior to resuming activity.