Fire followed by explosion struck a (32-m³) road tanker during a transfer operation at a depot storing home heating oil and diesel (3 underground 30-m³ tanks, 3 aboveground 70-m³ tanks) subsequent to a fuel oil leak at the transfer hose connection with the cistern transfer pump. Flames 10 m high were visible, and an extension of the blaze to a neighbouring 35,000-m³ facility was feared. The fire was quickly brought under control by 45 fire-fighters and 18 emergency vehicles. Two injuries were reported. Sand barricades, combined with the spreading of absorbent product and blocking of sewers, served to limit water pollution, though the porous ground under the depot was fouled by hydrocarbons. Clean-up operations were necessary. Some traces of hydrocarbon were apparent at the VICHY-CUSSET wastewater treatment plant, as well as in the JOLAN, SICHON and ALLIER Rivers. During site rehabilitation works, 850 m³ of earth were excavated and treated by means of in situ biodegradation; these works were estimated to cost 3 million francs.

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