CSB Proceeding With Barton Solvents Explosions and Fire Assessment
On July 17, 2007, explosions and fire erupted in the outdoor tank storage area
of the facility. The outdoor tank farm contained approximately 40 tanks with
capacities ranging from 3,000 to 20,000 gallons.
At the time of the accident, a tanker truck containing varnish-makers and
painters (VM&P) naphtha was being offloaded and pumped into a 15,000-gallon
storage tank at the facility. VM&P naphtha is classified as a flammable
liquid by the National Fire Protection Association and is used widely in the
paint and coatings industry.