Fire in Magnesium foundry

On 20 February 2016, a fire broke out in a magnesium foundry around 8 a.m. The alarm immediately reached the Volunteer Fire Department Altenmarkt nearby St. Gallen. Upon the arrival of the fire department, one hall was already completely in flames and the fire was spreading to two other halls. The FD immediately started attacking the fire with heavy foam in order to secure the building infrastructure, as well as aiding the severely injured employees.

The magnesium fire required more specific resources, however, and was now handled with metal fire powder and extinguishing salt. Unfortunately, the extinguishing efforts could not prevent further flash fires, which set off a number of explosions. The conditions complicated the situation for the 42 fire departments, because the extinguishing sand could only be brought to the fire – which had temperatures of ca. 3000° – using heavy breathing protection and wheelbarrows. The water supply also came from the Enns River over a height difference of 50 metres.

Altogether, the fire department forces used 42 tonnes of extinguishing sand, during which the weather conditions massively worsened. Due to rain, further explosions could not be prevented.

The facts and figures speak for themselves: the operation lasted four days; 69 fire departments took part and 700 firefighters were continually at work. They were supported by 30 Red Cross employees. Two firefighters were injured during the operation.

Damages were estimated in the tens of millions. A total of 42 tonnes of extinguishing sand, 15,000 litres of foam, 360 kg of metal powder and 3 tonnes of Emgesal Flux special extinguishing salt were used to put out the 48 tonnes of burning magnesium. The firefighters also needed 270 breathing protection bottle fillings and 15 TS 12 portable pumps.