Gas leak and explosion simulation tests emergency personnel
Commuters on Albert Street this morning were shaken up by a vehicle explosion in front of Wholesale Plus. It involved a Belize Western Energy Limited butane truck that experienced a massive gas leak in the heavily trafficked and commercial area. One of the gas attendants fainted as a result of the fumes emanating from the leak. The Fire Services, the Police Department and BERT responded to the scene and got down to work. News Five’s Duane Moody was there and found out that in fact it was simulation exercise to test the readiness of the agencies.
Duane Moody, Reporting
The busy flow of traffic and the start of business in the immediate area were interrupted —that is for at least an hour—when the drill got underway. Bystanders were in shock, businesses closed and employees and owners scurried out of harms way as the authorities took over.
Kenneth Mortis, Training Officer, Nat’l Fire Service
“This morning we had an exercise to test our personnel’s response and the way we deal with a situation like this morning. We did made it known that there would be a drill this morning so the public should not have been as alarmed as they were. What the scenario played out was a bobtail truck that was transporting LPG. We had a line that broke off and hence we had LPG escaping in the air. We tried to make it as realistic as possible because we know the dangers we can face once we have something like this to deal with. It is not something that can be easily dealt with. We need to attack something like this from all angles and in order for the general public to have an idea more or less of the damage that can be cause by a leaking LPG tank, we need to make it look as real as we possible can.”
Duane Moody
“Why did you guys spray the tank?”
Kenneth Mortis
“In a normal procedure, the application of water or foam would have done what we call the cooling method to the tank, thus reducing the possibility of a rapid explosion from the tank.”
According to Inventory Manager of Belize Western Energy Limited, Junior Thomas Junior, the company has not had any such incident, but the staff has received training on precautionary measures.
Junior Thomas Jr., Inventory Manager, BWEL
“In this type of scenario, we have went through various fire drills with Mr. Smith to equip all our personnel with basic fire training enhancements. In a scenario like this, first thing we would try to do is to get to the source of the leak so that it doesn’t spread through because, for example here in downtown Belize City, it is very dangerous. Gas like this, it multiplies so many times by itself and so a small leak can turn into something very devastating. So it is to find the leak, quarantine it as possible and also locate the proper authorities to intervene and help us the best way they can.”
Kenneth Mortis
“In the event that something like this should happen for real, it is advisable that we stay away from the leaking substance. Cell phone calls should not be made within the direct area and stuff like that. Any spark could set off an explosion and that is what we don’t want to happen.”
To ensure the smooth flow of traffic in the area and to keep bystanders away from danger, the police department is called to the scene.
Duane Moody
“What is the role that the police department plays when it comes to a situation like this that could be hazardous to the general public?”
Asst. Supt. Simeon Alvarez, Staff Officer, Police Department
“First of all the police is to basically do crowd control to ensure that where the incident is, there is only the Fire Department is authorized to be in the immediate area so that no other persons would get injured. With the scenario this morning, yes it’s a gas explosion and then definite we will have to close the immediate buildings and to evacuate the people from the immediate surroundings.”
The Belize Emergency Response Team, BERT, is also critical in assisting anyone injured. Duane Moody, reporting for News Five.
