A drum containing distillation slurry caught fire at around 8:15 p.m. at a plastic packaging plant. When in operation, the plant’s distiller is drained every 7–8 hours and the resulting slurry is stored in 200 l metal drums placed on a pallet holding two drums. This slurry consists of a mixture of ethanol, ethoxy propanol, ethyl acetate (all of which are solvents), and ink residues. The second drum, which contained 5–10 cm of liquid, was completely filled at 5:00 p.m. The temperature of the slurry was 82 °C. The technician, who was experienced, placed the lid on the drum and secured it with its latch ring. The forklift driver moved both drums to the outdoor storage area at 5:30 p.m. This area is also used to store pallets and empty IBCs. It is not shaded and the temperature that day was 24 °C. At 8:15 p.m., while going out to look for a component, the forklift driver noticed smoke coming from the second drum that was filled. He alerted the shift supervisor, who went to the storage area. The firefighters were called at 8:20 p.m. and arrived at 8:45 p.m. The seven people present were evacuated to the plant’s entrance and a 300 m cordon was set up. At 12:40 am, the incident was contained and the firefighters left the premises. The firewater used to cool the drum was contained in a retention pond and then pumped and treated. The plant’s water outlet valve was closed.

The accident was caused by a build-up of pressure inside the drum due to the combined effect of excessively hot residues, overfilling, and storage in the sun. The drum’s plug popped open under the pressure and the fumes ignited as they came in contact with air.

The operator took the following measures:

• it revised how substances are stored and flammable materials are isolated in an identified area;
• slurry is now to be cooled before being added to drums (procedure to be completed with the location and cooling time);
• it issued an informational notice on the maximum filling levels for drums;
• only empty drums (containing no products other than slurry) are to be used;
• drum vents are being tested.

The operator realises that sunlight must be taken into account, hot slurry poses risks, and an excessive concentration of fumes should be avoided.