Fire Stops CW Disposal at Umatilla Depot

Work at the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility in Oregon stopped yesterday after a fire ignited during destruction of a rocket that had been drained of chemical agent, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, Nov. 29).

The fire, which lasted two minutes and caused little damage, occurred in an explosive containment room. Much like three blazes earlier this year, the fire started on the fifth of seven cuts of the rocket, according to AP.

“This fire appears to be similar to the others we've experienced at Umatilla,” said site manager Don Barclay in a prepared statement.

The investigation into the cause of the fires is ongoing. Work at the facility is expected to resume today, although not in the room where the fire occurred (Associated Press/OregonLive.com, Dec. 7).

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