January explosion at MU Medical Science Building caused by torch used to repair pipe
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A, explosion and fire that occurred at the University of Missouri Medical School was likely caused by a blow torch igniting natural gas, according to a fire report
The fire marshal in the report assessed $5 million in property loss and $1 million in contents lost, but university officials say the damage is still being assessed. The report lists three people “involved” in the fire, which was ruled accidental.
The report states the fire started on the seventh floor of the building when a worker was using an acetylene torch to braze copper tubing. Another worker says he noticed a fire and went to get an extinguisher. He used the extinguisher and then tried to get himself and others on the seventh floor out of the building.
Another man told fire officials that contractors were using a black acetylene tank to braze a pipe and make repairs, according to the report. The man described the fire and explosion as “sudden and fast.”
The report says firefighters encountered signs of a significant explosion when they entered the seventh floor, including blown out walls and doors.
The report states natural gas had been building up in the far eastern side of the seventh floor and made its way into the ducts of the HVAC system. During the brazing, the heat in the duct work started the insulation on fire. The fire continued to extend until it met a pocket of built-up natural gas which caused an explosion and burned up the remaining fuel, the report states.
Investigators found a water pipe with branch lines, arm overs and joints for sprinkler heads, the report states. No sprinkler heads were located at the ends of any of the piping and the fittings were plugged and painted over, according to the report.
