A fire broke out on Friday at chemical distributor Brenntag’s site in Caldas de Reis, Pontevedra, Spain, during the unloading of a tank truck filled with toluene.

Emilio Colomer, managing director at Brenntag Química, reports that no one was injured in the accident. The fire destroyed large parts of the storage facility. The safety of Brenntag’s employees, the community and the surrounding environment are its No. 1 priority. Accordingly comprehensive investigation has been initiated immediately.

Some chemicals, principally toluene and styrene were washed into the nearby river Umia with the fire-fighting water. The extraction of drinking water has temporarily been suspended.

Working with local authorities, Brenntag took immediate measures to prevent the chemicals from spreading further. To contain and remediate the contamination, retention dikes have been installed and the water is being cleaned through the treatment with active carbon.

As recently as 2005, € 500,000 were invested in safety features and equipment at the Caldas de Reis site. The facility is certified according to ISO 9001:2000 and 14001.