I believe in Karma and I shouldn't gloat over someone elses misfortune but I don't want this to become everyone's misfortune. Toxco a Canadian company that recycles lithium ion batteries like the one in the Prius just had a major fire. Turns out a short in one of the batteries started a fire that couldn't be put out. The only metal I've ever seen burn was magnesium I wonder if lithium looks the same? It took 4 to five hours and a half a million liters of water to contain the blaze. Imagine if battery vehicles take over we'll see a lot more of this especially in the third world.
Toxco, Inc. Begins Fire Clean Up Operations
TRAIL, B.C., CANADA (November 9, 2009) – Toxco, Inc. has begun clean up operations from a
primary lithium battery fire that occurred in one of the plant’s permitted approved storage
building located at the BC site, on the evening of November 7, 2009.
The fire occurred during non operation hours and no one was injured by the incident. The exact
cause of the fire is under investigation, however Toxco and Regional Kootenay Fire Officials
concur that an internal short in one of the batteries in storage could be a likely cause of the
incident.
Property damage from the fire was limited to the battery storage building although sparks did
ignite bales of cardboard at a neighboring business that was extinguished.
”Our efforts have primarily been focused on the safety of everybody involved and after
consulting with representatives from the Ministry of the Environment, we are confident that
the fire will not result in any long-term negative impacts to the air quality and environment of the
surrounding area,” said Kathy Bruce, vice president of Toxco, Inc.
Bruce continued to say, “We wish to extend our sincere gratitude to the Kootenay Regional Fire
Services and neighboring fire services for their quick and effective response to this incident.
Senior members of our health and safety management team are already on the scene to assist
our Trail team and firefighters in the investigation. Additionally Toxco is pledging resources
necessary to assure a safe and expeditious clean up and we expect to have the fire debris
cleaned up over the next week.”
“While this is an unfortunate occurrence we support Toxco’s operation as a global leader in
lithium battery recycling” said City of Trail Mayor Dieter Boggs.
“At Toxco Inc. we subscribe to a rigid safety protocol with our first concern for the surrounding
community. We pride ourselves in our commitment to a safety regime and
environmental integrity,” Bruce added. “Our state-of-the-art remote controlled lithium battery
recycling processes are designed to keep personnel at safe distances from hazardous
situations. Although this circumstance is unfortunate, a full investigation of the cause is our first
priority.”
In business since 1984, Toxco Inc has become the most diverse battery recycling company in
the world. Our processes are all based on certified recycling techniques for material recovery.
Toxco's facilities are approved and permitted, operating under strict guidelines from provincial,
state and federal environmental protection agencies. Toxco recycles batteries from all over the
world including the United States and Canada and is considered a global leader in the field of
lithium battery recycling.
NOTE: Please check our Web site www.toxco.com for continuing updates.
source:
www.greencarcongress.com