Incident Report Harris County Fire Marshal Office 2318 Atascocita Rd Humble, TX 77396 (281)436~8000 Administrative Information Agency HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT Offese No 16-8533 Supplement No ORI Reported Date 01/16/2016 16-8533 Reported Date 01/16/2016 Report Type EXPLODE Operator HENSLEY, DEAN Reported Time 12:29 Supplement No ORIG CAD Event No Status Report Type SC160112845 Incident Report Explosive or Incendiary Devices Location City 12000 BAY AREA BL Pasadena Code Fire Dist Arson Cause Officers Assaulted? Zone District 77507 LA PORTE FIRE DEPARTMENT NON FIRE INCIDENT No S40 33 Beat From Date From Time Operator 840 01/16/2016 12:29 DEAN Assignment 2nd Operator FIRE MARSHAL INVESTIGATION UNIT BOLTON, JAMES 2nd Assignment Entered By FIRE MARSHAL INVESTIGATION UNIT F09033 Assignment RMS Transfer Prop Trans Stat FIRE MARSHAL INVESTIGATION UNIT Successful Successful Approving Of?cer Approval Date Approval Time F09033 01/31/2016 08:07:08 I II II - Invl Invl No Type Name MNI BUS 1 PEROXY CHEM 7374589 Race Sex DOB Invl No Type Name MNI BUS 2 EVERGREEN INDUSTRIAL SERVICES 7374591 Race Sex DOB Invl Invl No Type Name MNI COM 1 I GIDDENS 7374538 Race Sex DOB Invl Invl No Type Name MNI OWN 1 I AINSWORTH JOE 7374598 Race Sex DOB Invl Invl No Type Name MNI OWN 2 I 7374600 Race Sex DOB Invt Invl No Type Name MNI REP 1 LA PORTE FIRE DEPARTMENT 7374365 Race Sex DOB Invl Invl No Type Name WIT 1 I 7374595 Race Sex DOB Invl Invl No Type Name MNI WIT 2 I BERTHELOT CAROLYN 7374597 Race Sex DOB Invl Invl No Type Name MNI WIT 3 I 7374604 Race Sex DOB Report Officer DEAN Printed At 06/21/2016 08:53 Page 1 of 22 Incident Report 16-8533 ORIG Harris County Fire Marshal Office Vehicle Summary Invl Type License No State Lic Year Year Make Model Style Color asvosez 2m zoov Synopsis and Dept Output The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office investigated a non-fire explosion with injuries and one fatality. Report Of?cer Printed At DEAN 06/21/2016 08:53 Page 2 of 22 Incident Report Harris County Fire Marshal Office Involvement Involved Business (not a Victim) Involved Business (not a Victim) 1: PEROXY CHEM Invl No 1 Type Business 16-8533 Supplement No ORIG Name MNI PRN PEROXY CHEM 7374589 3619009 Type Address Work/Business 12000 BAY AREA BL City State ZIP Code Date Pasadena Texas 77507 01/16/2016 Phone Type Phone No Date Business (281)474?8790 01/16/2016 Type Email Business Involvement Involved Business (not a Victim) 2: EVERGREEN INDUSTRIAL SERVICES Invl No Involved Business (not a Victim) 2 Type Business Name MNI PRN EVERGREEN INDUSTRIAL SERVICES 7374591 3619010 Type Address Work/Business 704 OLD UNDERWOOD RD #c City State ZIP Code Date La Porte Texas 77571 01/16/2016 Phone Type Phone No Date Business (281)478-5800 01/16/2016 Complainant or victim 1: GIDDE Involvement Type Complainant or victim Individual Name MNI Race Sex 7374588 Black Male DOB Age Ethnicity Juvenile? PRN 62 Not Hispanic or Latino No 3619011 Type Address Home City State ZIP Code Date Missouri City Texas 77489 01/16/2016 Type ID No OLS Operator License Texas Involvement Invl No Type 1: A Name Owner 1 Individual MNI Race Sex PRN 7374598 White Male Not Hispanic or Latino 3619012 Type Address Work/Business 12000 BAY AREA BL City State ZIP Code Date Pasadena Texas 77507 01/16/2016 Phone Type Phone No Date Business (281)474?8790 01/16/2016 Type Email Business joe.ainsworth@peroxychem.com Type Email Business Site Manager?Peroxy Chem Involvement Invl No Type 2: Name Owner 2 Individual MNI Race Sex Ethnicity PRN 7374600 White Male Not Hispanic or Latino 3619013 Type Address Work/Business 704 OLD UNDERWOOD RD City State ZIP Code Date La Porte Texas 77571 01/16/2016 Report Of?cer Printed At DEAN 06/21/2016 08:53 Page 3 of 22 Incident Report Harris County Fire Marshal Office 16-8533 Supplement No ORIG Phone Type Phone No Date Phone Type Phone No Business (281)478-5800 01/16/2016 Cell Date 01/16/2016 Type Email Business Evergreen Industrial Services Type Email Business Reportee Vice President/health and Safety 1: LA PORTE FIRE DEPARTMENT Involvement Invi No Type Reportee 1 Government Name MN RN LA PORTE FIRE DEPARTMENT 7374365 3619014 Phone Type Phone No Date Business (281)471-9244 01/16/2016 Witness 1 Involvement Invl No Type Witness 1 Individual MNI Ethnicity PRN 7374595 Not Hispanic or Latino 3619015 TYPE Address Work/Business 10428 SPENCER HW City State ZIP Code Date La Porte Texas 77571 01/16/2016 Phone Type Phone No Date Phone Type Phone No Business (281)471-9244 01/16/2016 Cell Date 01/16/2016 Type Email Business EMS Captain La Porte EMS Involvement Invl No Type Name Witness 2 Individual MNI Race Sex Ethnicity PRN 7374597 White Female Not Hispanic or Latino 3619016 Type Address Work/Business 1835 OLD SPANISH TL City State ZIP Code Date Houston Texas 77030 01/16/2016 Phone Type Phone No Date Business (713)796-6740 01/16/2016 Type Email Business carolyn.berthelot@ifs.hctx.net Type Email Business Forensic Investigator II Harris County Institute of Forensic Witness 3: Involvement Invl No Type Nam Witness 3 Individual MNI Race Sex DOB Age Ethnicity Juvenile? PRN 7374604 White Male 47 Not Hispanic or Latino No .3619017 Phone Type Phone No Date Cell 01/16/2016 Type Email Business Incident Command/CIMA/Peroxy Chem Vehicle: 3870692 Involvement Type I License No Lic Type Complainant ?Truck/Van BS70692 Texas 2016 Truck. 2007 Make Model Style Color Kenworth Northwest, Inc. Truck/Bus/Motor Home Vacuum Cleaner' White VIN Dispo Dispo Date 3WKDDU8X87F182428 Released to owner 01/16/2016 Description Pressure Explosion from vacuum truck Report Officer Printed At DEAN 06/21/2016 08:53 Page 4 of 22 Incident Report 16-8533 Harris County Fire Marshal Office Link Involvement Invl No Name Race Sex 0TH REP 1 LA PORTE FIRE DEPARTMENT DOB Link Involvement Invl No Name Race Sex DRV COM 1 GIDDENS RICKEY DOB Link Involvement Invl No Name Race Sex OTH- BUS 1 PEROXY CHEM DOB Link Involvement Invl No Name Race Sex OTH BUS 2 EVERGREEN INDUSTRIAL SERVICE DOB Link Involvement Invl No Name Race Sex 0TH WIT 1 WATTS SHAWNITA Link Involvement Invl No Name Race Sex OTH WIT 2 BERTHELOT CAROLYN DOB Link Involvement No Name Race Sex 0TH OWN AINSWORTH JOE i DOB Link Involvement Invl No Name Race Sex OTH OWN 2 DOB Link Involvement Invl No Name Race Sex 0TH WIT 3 MELDER GEORGE DOB Nana?ve ASSIGNMENT: On Saturday January 16, 2016 at 1353 hrs, I Captain D. Hensley-9542. Deputy Chief J. Bolton?954 and investigator T. Galindo-95F33 were dispatched by Cypress Creek Communications Center to a reported explosion with injuries at Peroxy Chem Facility located at 12000 Bay Area Blvd. in the unincorporated Pasadena, Texas area of Harris County. Iwas advised that Harris County Haz?Mat was already on scene along with Safety officer J. lckes-95SI, Harris County Sheriffs Office and La Porte Fire Department. directed investigator D. Lee-95F24 to re?route to Clear Lake Regional Hospital and check on the injured and obtain statements on what happened. Iwas also advised that the (CIMA) Channel Industries Mutual Aid had been activated and was on scene. Myself and Chief Bolton arrived at 1523 hrs. Investigator Galindo arrived at 1455 hrs. was advised that the incident commander was George Melder. was briefed by Captain Larry Perry of HC Haz?Mat and then I met with the command post units in the CIMA command truck. I was advised that George Melder was the incident commander. was briefed on the current situation and hazards. Report Officer Printed At DEAN [06/21/2016 08:53 Page 5 of 22 Incident Report 16-8533 Harris County Fire Marshal Office was updated that (3) three workers were injured and transported to a hospital, and that (1) one worker was deceased at the scene near the truck where the explosion took place. Myself, Chief Bolton and investigator Galindo put on protective clothing and air packs to conduct a survey of the situation and get information to relay to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. As we entered the hot zone documented the scene with digital photos. SCENE DESCRIPTION: The scene is a Chemical Plant called PeroxyChem. The address is 12000 Bay Area Blvd. Located in unincorporated Harris County, Pasadena, Texas. The plant manufactures and supplies Hydrogen Peroxide. STRUCTURE DESCRIPTION: Chemical plant Storage tanks and piping all over the facility. See attached photos of facility. PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION Information from MSDS Sheets provide by command and Haz-Mat: Name: Process Work Solutions-8P General gig Process work solutions is used in the manufacture of hydrogen peroxide. Appearance: Dark brown liquid (red-brown from when solids evaporate), with a slight odor. Aromatic odor (see efiles tab for attached MSDS). Process work solutions contains combustible petroleum aromatic solvents. FIRE DAMAGE: I did not observe any fire damage. I did not observe any evidence that there was a fire or any fire damage. I observed damage that was consistent with a pressure explosion. ORIGIN AND CAUSE OF FIRE: The fire origin and cause investigation was conducted utilizing the appropriate use of fire pattern analysis, fire damage and the consideration of witness information and other valuable data, and the scene circumstances. I did not observe any fire damage or burn patterns. There was no evidence at the scene of any fire. The witnesses interviewed at the hospital did not report any fire. I observed a vacuum truck that was backed up to a processing/loading area that was turned off and had damage to the back side of the truck where a large fill valve was located. The damage indicates that the valve was torn/ripped away from the truck and struck the deceased/victim in the chest/torso area. I observed extensive trauma to the body and the valve laying against the body on the ground. The valve was still in the closed position with the cap still in place. I also observed several valves bent that appear the be from the force of the body striking them. I observed damage to 3 wash/decon station that also appears to have been struck by the body from the force. I observed trauma to the backside of the body that was consistent with it striking these objects from the force/pressure of the valve pushing the body back. I observed that the valve laying beside the body was in the closed position with the cap still in place. I observed several links of black hose that was connected to the processing plant/connection valve at one end and the other end laying on the ground at the back of the vacuum truck. It appears that the black hose was not connected to the truck prior to the explosion/release. It also appears that the valve was in the closed position prior to the explosion/release. Report Of?cer Printed At DEAN 06/21/2016 03:53 Page 6 of 22 Incident Report 16-8533 Harris County Fire Marshal Office The observation of the damage to the truck and body along with information obtained from PeroxyChem and Evergreen regarding the Chemical Hydrogen Peroxide that was inside the vacuum truck, concluded that the pressure explosion was most probable caused from a rapid expansion of the Hydrogen Peroxide in the vacuum truck failing at the point where the valve was attached to the tank on the truck. what caused the rapid expansion is unknown, and multiple possiblities could be possible. As a result of the explosion/expansion one adult male was fatally injured. INJURIES OR FATALITIES: #1 Rickey Giddens -deceased Employee of Evergreen Industrial Services. Vacuum truck driver/operator. #2 Danny Ray Wood ?injured #3 Ruben Rodriguez ?injured #4 Manuel Espinoza ?injured SCENE DOCUMENTATION: documented the scene with a series of digital photos using a Canon rebel digital camera. The photos were transferred to the FORAY photo management system at the Fire Marshal's Office. I also added a few photos to the efiles tab of this report to show some of the scene as we found it when we arrived. I was given a copy (8) pages of a Material Safety Data Sheet from Captain Perry on the Haz-Mat Team. I added it to the efiles tab of this report. I obtained copies of the La Porte EMS response reports and data sheets. I attached them to the efiles tab of this report. [This information is grotected ?0_f t_o distributed); Porte 5. Watts- Captain R. Gomez- J. Talley- Paramedic-I T. Mason-Paramedic-I J. Carranza-Paramedic-II Event Chronology [times 12:28:00 event call time 12:30:00 dispatched time 12:31:00 enroute time 12:36:00 at scene time 12:39:00 at patient time 13:24:00 at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center Hospital 14:22:00 back in service Unit# 1185 (MICU) ambulance Unit# 1182 (MICU) ambulance Patient?Ruben Rodriguez Dispatch# Response# 16-01?103-0104 Patient-Dan Wood Dispacth# 16-0144-A Response# 16-01?103-0102 103-15669 Report Officer I - - I Printed At DEAN 05/21/2015 08:53 Page 7 of 22 Incident Report 16_3533 Harris County Fire Marshal Office Patient-Manuel Espinoza Dispatch# 18-0143A Response# 16-01-691-0098 691?15665 Patient-Rickey Giddens Dispatch# 16-01438 Response# 16-01-615?0099 615-15666 time (dead on scene) Institute of Forensic Sciences Carolyn Berthelot Forensic Investigator ll Investigations Unit#9010 Property page added to efiles tab of this report. Arrived: 1627 hrs. Body car and investigator EVIDENCE: None collected TRUCK INFORMATION: 2007 Kenworth Vacuum Truck License plate# Texas?BS7-0692 Registerd owner: Evergreen Environmental PO Box 2078 Deerpark, Texas 77536 UD 899688 Height 12' 0" INTERVIEWS: Investigator D. Lee interviewed the injured workers that were transported to the hospital. See investigator Lee supplement report. INSURANCE INFORMATION: unknown at time of incident. PEROXY CHEM Information from Peroxy Chem Web Site PeroxyChem is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, persulfates and adjacent technologies. Who we are, what PeroxyChem, we pride ourselves on exemplary customer service, product quality, reliability and consultation. Our scientists, engineers, technical experts and account managers are constantly seeking ways to bring greater value to our customer base. Our vision is to be the leading global supplier of oxidative solutions based on hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid and persulfates, complemented by adjacent technologies to the electronics. energy. environmental, food safety, and other industrial markets. At PeroxyChem, we are committed to conducting our business honestly and ethically and to complying with all applicable laws -- this is our commitment to integrity. Our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct exemplifies our dedication to high standards and summarizes the legal and ethical principles that we follow every day. Hydrogen Peroxide Vital chemistries for vital industries One of the most versatile and environmentally compatible oxidizing agents, hydrogen peroxide represents vital chemistries for many of the world's most vital industries. As leading manufacturers and suppliers of hydrogen peroxide, we offer a broad range of concentrations and purities in our product line up, which means our hydrogen peroxide can be used for electronics, paper production and Report Of?cer 5 Printed At DEAN j06/_21/2016 08:53 Page 8 of 22 Incident Report 16-8533 Harris County Fire Marshal Office anything in between. The versatility of hydrogen peroxide is evidenced by the variety of oxidation potentials and pH ranges in which it can act as an oxidizer. in the acid pH range, for example, uncatalyzed hydrogen peroxide is a moderate oxidizer but when catalyzed with iron, it becomes a powerful oxidizer. In the alkaline pH range, hydrogen peroxide can compete with hypochlorite as an oxidizer. At PeroxyChem, we will continue to pioneer new uses and innovative ways to safely and cost effectively store and handle hydrogen peroxide, so you can continue to have versatile, dependable and environmentally friendly chemistries to rely on. Under normal conditions, Hydrogen Peroxide is extremely stable with demonstrated losses of less than 1% per year under ambient conditions. Heat and oxygen are generated during peroxide decomposition and even abnormal decomposition is easily handled by properly designed storage and handling systems. However, if severe contamination occurs or the solution is heated to extremely high temperatures, relieving devices may not be able to dissipate the volume of gas generated and the system may be overpressured. Hydrogen Peroxide is not considered explosive, but explosive vapors can be formed when peroxide is mixed with certain organic materials. In addition, Hydrogen Peroxide is not flammable, but does generate large amounts of oxygen during decomposition that supports combustion. SUMMARY: The observation of the damage to the truck and body along with information obtained from PeroxyChem and Evergreen regarding the Chemical Hydrogen Peroxide that was inside the vacuum truck, concluded that the pressure explosion was caused from a rapid expansion of the Hydrogen Peroxide in the vacuum truck failing at the point where the valve was attached to the tank on the truck. The cause for the rapid expansion is unknown, but information obtained from PeroxyChem and Evergreen indicates that possible pressure relief failures occurred or the pressure relief could not keep up with the rapid expansion that could be caused from multiple of possiblities that would react to the peroxide in the tank of the truck. The body was released to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. end repOrt _Fte_port Officer Printed At DEAN 06/21/2016 08:53 Page 9 0f 22 Incident Report 16_3533 gangengnmo Harris County Fire Marshal Office Date Time Operator 01/21/2016 08:16 F09033 PHOT Description 16?8533 Wide angle view of area -, Report Of?cer Printed At DEAN 06/21/2016 08:53 Page 10 of 22 Incident Report 16-8533 Harris County Fire Marshal Office Date Operator Type 01/21/2016 08:18 F09033 PHOT Description 16?8533 Bhoto of vacuum truck .. In i if? I Report Officer Printed At DEAN 06/21/2016 08:53 Page 11 of 22 Incident Report Harris County Fire Marshal Office Date Time Operator 01/21/2016 08:19 F09033 Description 1 6-353 3 No ORIG Type PHOT 16-8533 side View of vacuum truck Report Officer mwmm DEAN [06/21/2016 08:53 Page 12 of 22 Incident Report 16-8533 Harris County Fire Marshal Office Date Operator 01/21/2016 08:19 F09033 PHOT Description 16?8533 Backside/driver of vacuum truck wwi'w?u?xv'gpmuwepm 14.. - q. . Report Officer Printed At DEAN 06/21/2016 08:53 Page 13 of 22 Incident Report 16-8533 Harris County Fire Marshal Office Date Time Operator Type 01/21/2016 08:20 F09033 PHOT Descri lion 16j6533 backside view of vacuum truck Hommanw 1-000-000-0577 Report Officer Printed At DEAN 06/21/2016 08:53 Page 14 of 22 Incident Report Harris County Fire Marshal Office Data 1 6 _8 3 Supplement No ORIG Time Operator 01/21/2016 08:20 1F09033 Dascriplion Type PHOT 16?8533 Area where valve was blown from truck Report Of?cer I Printed Al DEAN 06/21/2016 08:53 Page 16 of 22 Incident Report Harris County Fire Marshal Office Data 1 6 -8 5 3 3 Supplement No ORIG Operator 01/21/2016 08:20 F09033 PHOT Description 16?8533 backside View of vacuum truck Report Of?cer Printed At DEAN 06/21/2016 08:53 Page 15 of 22 Incident Report 16-8533 Harris County Fire Marshal Office Dale Operator 01/21/2016 08:20 F09033 PHOT Description 16-8533 Backside of vacuum truck T- . 1 Jr": Report Of?cer Printed At DEAN 06/21/2016 03:53 Page 17 of 22 Incident Report Harris County Fire Marshal Office Dale Time Operator Type 01/21/2016 08:20 F09033 PHOT Description 16?8533 backside of vacuum truck 16-8533 Supplement No ORIG .93?uncut. Report Officer F0 90 DEAN Printed At 06/21/2016 08:53 Page 18 of 22 Incident Report 1643533 win:an Harris County Fire Marshal Office Date 1 Time Operator Type 01/21/2016 ?08:20 F09033 Descnp?on _16-8533 Area where valve was blown from truck Report Of?cer Printed At DEAN \06/21/2016 08:53 Page 19 of 22 Incident Report Harris County Fire Marshal Office Date 1 6-8 3 Supplement No ORIG Operator 01/21/2016 08:24 F09033 PHOT Description 16?8533 Texas ID in cab of vacuum truck DRIVER LICENSE 3 91[_Report Of?cer Printed At DEAN 06/21/2016 08:53 Page 20 of 22 Incident Report Harris County Fire Marshal Office Date 01/21/2016 Operamr 08:25 F09033 PHOT Supplement No ORIG 16-8533 Description 16?8533 Hose on ground at back of truck Report Of?cer DEAN Printed At 06/21/2016 08:53 Page 21 of 22 Incident Report Harris County Fire Marshal Office Dale Operator 01/21/2016 08 :27 F09033 Description 1 6 _8 53 3 Supplement No ORIG PHOT 16?8533 Hose connected to valve Report Officer Printed At DEAN 06/21/2016 08:53 Page 22 of 22