Lyon, December 23 – At least four employees were injured, two seriously, yesterday afternoon following an explosion at the Elkem Silicones chemical plant in Saint-Fons, located in the “chemical valley” south of Lyon. The incident, which occurred in a Seveso-classified site, prompted the activation of emergency protocols and a temporary confinement of nearby residents.
Explosion in Experimental Workshop
The blast took place at approximately 2:45 PM in a production facility specializing in silicone-based materials. The exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but preliminary assessments suggest it was likely triggered by a hydrogen emission within an experimental workshop. Five individuals were working in this area at the time of the incident, according to Jean-Pierre Laurent, the site director. The Elkem Silicones plant is classified as a high-threshold Seveso site and employs 600 people.
The explosion was followed by a fire in a 600 m2 building. Firefighters successfully brought the blaze under control shortly before 5:00 PM. The Orsec plan, designed to organize emergency response in serious events, was immediately activated, along with the Departmental Operational Centre (COD).
Confinement Lifted, No Toxicity Detected
The confinement order for residents in four surrounding municipalities was lifted shortly before 5:00 PM yesterday. The security perimeter established around the site has also been removed. Antoine Guérin, the Prefect Delegate for Security, confirmed that all necessary precautions were taken to ensure there was no risk of further explosions and that all readings indicated no toxicity in the air.
Following the incident, the A7 and A450 motorways have been reopened to traffic, as have the departmental roads 301 and 307. Rail traffic on the Lyon-Marseille and Lyon-Saint-Étienne lines is gradually resuming after receiving authorization from the prefecture, as reported by SNCF Réseaux.
Extensive Emergency Response
A significant number of emergency personnel were deployed to the scene, including 88 firefighters and 34 vehicles. Additionally, 60 municipal police officers and CRS motorway police were mobilized. The Prefect of the Rhône was also present at the explosion site, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Past Incident at the Same Site
This is not the first serious incident at the Saint-Fons Elkem Silicones site. In 2016, one person was killed in a fire involving silicone drums in a 2,500 m2 warehouse, resulting in the destruction of 600 m2 of the building. This previous event highlights the inherent risks associated with industrial operations at the facility.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the precise cause of yesterday’s explosion. The focus will be on understanding the circumstances that led to the hydrogen emission and subsequent detonation in the experimental workshop. The safety protocols and operational procedures at the Seveso-classified site will undoubtedly be scrutinized as part of the inquiry.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers in industrial environments and the importance of stringent safety measures to protect both employees and the surrounding communities.
Source: bfmtv.com
