As local residents fled their homes at least 30 fire engines and over 60 fire personnel rushed to the scene to fight the intense factory fire. The blaze, followed by a series of explosions, broke out at the Quema Química chemical plant, which makes solvents, in Itaquaquecetuba, which is in greater São Paulo Tuesday, August 4 at 3:22 p.m.
Video and images from the scene show giant flames raging from the factory with plumes of smoke rising over 100 feet into the air.
Footage showed a chemical drum launched into the air as extreme pressure builds from the burning materials. In one video a manhole cover exploded from the ground, with local media reporting the blast knocked a passerby off their feet.
The firefighting operation remains complex as there are 24 solvent tanks in the factory, which if they catch fire, it will add more fuel to the fire.
Additionally, the fire is within an industrial area which contains highly volatile products, further increasing the risks of explosions.
Sao Paulo’s military fire brigade said: “No record of victims so far.”
Fire rages at a chemical plant just outside Sao Paulo.
Source: Mexico Times via X
Electricity ended up cut in the immediate area and at least 150 residents evacuated. The company affected is Quema Química, which produces and markets solvents and polyester resins.
The factory has 24 solvent storage tanks, each with an approximate capacity of 31 cubic meters.
Fire crews continue to tackle the blaze. Cause of the fire remains unknown and an investigation is continuing.