Alarm in Piedmont – Solvent company burns, near tragedy. Toxic substances in the air are feared. The latest updates
Alarm in Piedmont: Novara and the surrounding areas have been invaded by black smoke from the fire that broke out in the Kemi chemical company, which processes chemical solvents.
The fire in the industrial area of San Pietro Mosezzo.
Firefighting vehicles from the Cameri military airport, the fire brigade, Arpa and Italgas and Acqua NovaraVCO intervened on the spot due to possible problems of network pollution.
Meanwhile, in the Piedmontese city, “the Municipal Operations Center (Coc) has been opened as a precaution. – informs the Municipality -. The Civil Protection volunteers are moving to inform and communicate to the citizens”.
The danger is now for toxic substances dispersed in the air. These are the latest updates from Arpa Piemonte:
“The very first measurements carried out with portable instruments in the immediate vicinity of the fire (on carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and hydrogen sulphide) did not reveal any dangerous situations.
Further analytical checks are underway on air quality and on the management of extinguishing water.
Arpa is in close contact with the Prefecture of Novara and with the Mayors of the Municipalities of Novara and S. Pietro Mosezzo for emergency management.
The technicians will follow the checks in inhabited areas with potential fallout from the fumes.
Update at 12.30
The fire at the Kemi company in S.Pietro Mosezzo is nearing extinction.
Measurements were carried out in 3 points of the city of Novara, at schools (as sensitive receptors): one point in via Vallauri (at the Bellini middle school), two points in Corso Risorgimento (Vignale district and at the Agricultural Institute Bonfantini-Hotel Ravizza).
The measurements show the absence of carbon monoxide and the presence of non-methane hydrocarbons in normal concentrations. Measures are underway in the municipality of Caltignaga.
Agency technical staff will continue monitoring until the emergency is over. The column of smoke still present is currently very high”.
