1988 Poole explosion
On 21 June 1988, a large fire and explosion engulfed the BDH chemical plant in Poole, Dorset, England. 3,500 people were evacuated out of the town centre in the biggest peacetime evacuation in the UK since World War II. Despite the intensity of the explosion, nobody was killed or seriously injured.
Background
had operated in Poole for 40 years. The plant at West Quay Road was constructed in 1982.Events
At about 7:30pm emergency services were called to a fire at an industrial unit on West Quay Road in Poole. The warehouse was operated by BDH and stood adjacent to the Port of Poole, and close to residential and commercial areas in Old Poole. The fire was discovered in an oxidising storeroom, and it had spread to the adjacent area containing flammable liquids.There were flames up to high and flaming drums full of liquids were sent into the air and rained down on neighbouring streets. Missiles from the fire spread, and there was off site damage to away. A fireball was witnessed and a plume of yellow-brown smoke was seen rising over Poole Old Town.
An evacuation began at 7:45pm, affecting a radius in Poole Town Centre. Nearby tower blocks were emptied, and terraced streets were searched. People were sent to the Arts Centre, Sports Centre and the Arndale Centre. The evacuation was organised by Station Manager Gordon Hughes. In November 1988, he became only the second recipient of the Chief Officer's Commendation. 100 firefighters attended the scene.
Fourteen people were taken to Poole General Hospital. Local residents were not allowed to return to their homes until 5:30am the next day. The Health and Safety Executive, on the scene that morning, said the devastation would make an investigation of the cause virtually impossible. Street furniture and traffic lights had melted and windows were smashed. The smoke was analysed to have contained hydrogen chloride. Pollution of watercourses, including Poole Harbour, was also of concern. Authorities said that luck had kept the injuries minor, as barrels containing cyanide did not explode and the wind blew the toxic smoke offshore.