Sun Drilling Divinylbenzene tank fire; Belle Chasse, LA, Miss R. MM-67

Belle Chasse, LA, Miss R. MM-67 | 2012-Aug-17

Initial Notification: USCG Sector New Orleans contact the NOLA NOAA SSC at approximately 1600EDT, 17Aug12 for assistance with safety and environmental hazards associated with a burning tank containing divinylbenzene (DVB) at the Sun Drilling Chemical Plant in Belle Chasse, LA, that had been struck by lightning. The facility is adjacent to the Mississippi River at mile marker 67, on the right decending bank, and just up river 600 m from the Belle Chasse ferry landing. Initial safety distances were provided and fate of chemical in the event any entered the reiver were provided. DVB is a highly volatile and ignitable liquid that polymerizes (becomes a plastic like solid) unless stabilized with chemicals to keep it a liquid. It is insoluble, floats, and will generally evaporate, but may polymerize if it persists. No DVB had entered the river and was not expected to as of Friday evening, 17Aug. NOAA was contacted in the event it did and for safety issues related to the smoke or vapor plume.