Potential BLEVE
Thursday, July 9, 1959
Dixwell Avenue in North Haven
Fifty-four years ago, the term "BLEVE" (BLEH-vee), for Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion, was relatively unknown in the fire service, which is probably why Hamden Firefighters Bill Esposito and Burt Hillocks were more focused on extinguishing a blaze atop a 6,000 gallon gasoline transporter than with the real potential for a BLEVE. But only a few weeks after the North Haven incident, a fire in a massive gasoline storage facility in Kansas City, Kansas resulted in a monstrous BLEVE that took the lives of five firefighters and injured dozens more.
Posted 5/31/13
|
The New Haven Evening Register, Thursday, July 9, 1959
(CLICK on photo to enlarge for easier reading.)
|
 |
| The New Haven Evening Register, Thursday, July 9, 1959 (Article courtesy of Chan Brainard) |
|
|
The burning tanker was on Dixwell Avenue just east of the Hamden-North Haven town line when fire companies from both towns were alerted and responded. Hamden's Engine 4, only 2/10 of a mile away, arrived first. Donald Yosua's newspaper photos clearly show that the fire was well involved by the time Ff. Esposito was able to apply the first water from Engine 4's Rockwood fog applicator.
Fortunately, the tanker was nearly full, which reduced the likilhood of a BLEVE during those first critical minutes before Hamden firefighters arrived. The potential for a BLEVE was very real nonetheless, placing Firefighters Esposito and Hillocks in an extremely perilous situation, which they defused through quick action.
|
 |
| Hamden Firefighter Bill Esposito advances toward a burning gasoline tanker with a Rockwood low-velocity fog applicator on a charged 1-1/2" handline. (Photo by Donald Yosua, from Local 2687 Collection) |
|
|
 |
| The New Haven Evening Register, Thursday, July 9, 1959 |
|
|
|