Jan 4 1983: 4 Stamford Firefighters Severly Hurt In Chemical Plant Explosion

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From the NY Times in 1983

4 SEVERELY HURT IN CHEMICAL FIRE IN CONNECTICUT

STAMFORD, Conn., Jan. 4— Four firefighters were badly burned by a plastic compound early today when a door on a chemical factory blew off in front of them as they battled a fire, officials said.

More than 40 firefighters and police offficers were treated at Stamford hospitals for injuries suffered after the explosion, which was caused by the fire, officials said.

The three most severely injured men were listed in serious condition at a special burn unit at Westchester County Medical Center in Valhalla, N.Y. The fourth was being treated at Stamford Hospital's intensive-care unit.

The explosion happened at about 1:30 A.M. in a vat containing 500 gallons of a thick acrylic plastic mix, the police said. Plant Is Next to Harbor

The company, United Organics Corp., whose plant is next to Stamford Harbor, makes resins, synthetic chemicals, polymers and urethanes. Repeated telephone calls to the company later in the day brought no answer.

''The roof just lifted off and a gigantic fireball came out of it,'' said Sgt. Frank Cronin of the police, recounting a description of the explosion by firefighters at the scene.

''The fireball came right out of the roof,'' said Lieut. Daniel Chichester, one of the first fire officials on the scene. Witnesses said the first blast was followed by about three more explosions, each producing a fireball. Joseph Vitti, the Stamford Fire Chief, said the four firefighters, all members of Stamford's South End fire company, were standing in front of a door that was blown off its hinges and hurled 50 feet.

The four firefighters suffered second-and third-degree burns of their faces and hands. The Coast Guard closed the harbor and sent investigators to the plant to determine whether the chemicals had contaminated the water, said Lieut. (j.g.) Carl Lautenberger of the Coast Guard. The State Department of Environmental Protection was also investigating.

Fumes From Fire Linger

A ''heavy chemical smell'' lingered hours after the explosions, said Lieutenant Chichester, who was treated for inhalation of smoke and toxic fumes.

The three burned firefighters at the burn unit in Valhalla were identified as James Ferguson, 34 years old; Jerry LeBlanc, 53, and Walter Finch, 40, all of Stamford. Officials said they were taken to the burn unit because it is specially equipped to help heal the hands.

The fourth severely injured firefighter, Scott Gill, 26, also of Stamford, was listed in fair-to-satisfactory condition at Stamford Hospital.

Chief Vitti said he had visited all of the firefighters and had found them alert, awake and responsive. ''I think everything will work out for them,'' he said. The others taken to hospitals were believed to have inhaled toxic fumes from the chemicals toluene and acrylonitrile. The cause of the fire was not immediately known. It was extinguished about two hours after it started.

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In 1983.

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In 1983.

Yes, as I noted in the title and top of the post, and posted in the "Protection From The Past" forum, but still a notable incident to remember.

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Many years ago there was a display about firefighting history in Stamford at our local historical society. They had a helmet and some other gear from the injured at this fire.

You can not be around our city and be involved with emergency services without knowing or having worked with these guys.

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You can not be around our city and be involved with emergency services without knowing or having worked with these guys.

Did all or some return to full duty?

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I know of at least 2 who came back to duty, and I worked with a 3rd who retired and became a dispatcher.