Firefighters got the call Sunday, November 1 at 9 p.m. after lightning struck one of the facility’s alcohol storage tanks during a thunder storm. The impact triggered a fire that spread to the plant’s distillation columns.
While there were no deaths or injuries as a result of the fire, a volunteer firefighter, identified as Jorge Luis Leite, 35, died when a fire truck rolled over on its way to help fight the blaze.
At least seven volunteer fire departments mobilized personnel and equipment to assist with the emergency response. Teams from Pastoreo, Campo 9, Caaguazú, Coronel Oviedo, and Villarrica were among those dispatched to the facility.
Fire crews encountered significant obstacles because of the hazardous and highly flammable materials involved. Specialized chemical foam ended up used to help suppress the flames and prevent the fire from spreading.
Although no deaths or injuries were reported inside the industrial facility, a separate fatal incident occurred during the emergency response. Firefighter Jorge Luis Leite, 35, died after the vehicle he was travelling in overturned while he was heading to the scene.
A lightning strike hit an alcohol storage tank causing a huge fire at the Alcotec plant in Praguay.
Source: Hoy.com
A company representative said the lightning strike blew the tank’s lid off and started the fire immediately, and security cameras recorded it. The tank holds up to 1 million liters and was almost full at the time of the fire.
On Monday, November 2, a fire truck from San Bernardino’s Company 61, heading to reinforce the fight, overturned near Pastoreo. One volunteer firefighter died and several others suffered injuries.