Three tanks totaling over 800 tons of liquefied petroleum gas leaked simultaneously, and there are more than 10 hazardous chemical factories in the surrounding area. Photo by correspondent Huang Yongde

　　Zhang ZhitianTowards Zhang YuqingSouthern MetropolisThe reporter demonstrated the moment of life and death when risking their lives to block the leak that day.Southern MetropolisPhoto by journalist Zhou Songbai

At 14:27 on October 4th, due to the impact of Typhoon Rainbow, the 22nd typhoon of this year, more than 800 tons of liquefied petroleum gas were leaked from three tanks of Zhanjiang Fuduo Liquefied Petroleum Gas Service Co., Ltd., and an explosion accident could occur at any time. According to experts' estimates, if an explosion occurs, half of the Xiashan district where the company is located may be flattened, and the lives of hundreds of thousands of people will be threatened.

After receiving the report, firefighters immediately rushed to rescue and eliminate the danger. As of 6:30 am on October 6th, all liquefied petroleum gas was successfully transported and the situation was lifted.

　　Over 800 tons of liquefied petroleum gas leaked suddenly

It is reported that Zhanjiang Fuduo Liquefied Petroleum Gas Service Co., Ltd. is located at No. 8 Baoman East Road, Lingang Industrial Park, Xiashan District, Zhanjiang City. To the east is CNOOC Zhanjiang Fuel Co., Ltd., to the south is a large number of pipelines, to the west is a flammable liquid horizontal tank storage area, and to the north is an inflation station. There are more than 10 hazardous chemical factories distributed around, including Dongxing Refinery, Xinao Gas, CNOOC, Zhanjiang Bohai Agriculture, etc. There are more than 20 oil storage tanks with a capacity of over 10000 tons.

After investigation, it was found that Zhanjiang Fuduo Liquefied Petroleum Gas Service Co., Ltd. has three storage tanks with a capacity of 1000 tons each. At the time of the accident, tanks 1 and 2 were each filled with over 200 tons of liquefied petroleum gas, while tank 3 was filled with over 400 tons. Due to the fierce attack of the typhoon, the inspection ladder of three tanks was blown off, and the top level gauge tube of each tank was broken, forming a leakage port of about 60 millimeters. What's even more terrifying is that the bottom of tank 1 was also damaged by the typhoon, resulting in a leakage port, leading to a serious accident of gas phase leakage at the top of tanks 1, 2, and 3, and liquid phase leakage at the bottom of tank 1 at the same time. The liquefied gas inside the high-pressure tank at the leakage site sprayed out rapidly, and the sound of gas leakage could be heard from 500 meters away.

Liquefied petroleum gas is a gas with a low explosive limit that is highly prone to explode when exposed to Mars or static electricity. According to experts' estimates, if the three leaking tanks explode, it will inevitably cause a series of explosions of hazardous chemicals in the surrounding area, and half of Xiashan District may be flattened, putting the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in imminent danger!

　　It took 40 hours to finally eliminate the dangerous situation

After receiving the report, the Zhanjiang Fire Brigade mobilized all firefighting forces within a 20 kilometer radius of the accident unit according to the plan. After receiving the report from the Guangdong Provincial Fire Brigade, Captain Wang Guoshe led 10 experts, the Special Operations Brigade of the Brigade, and the rescue forces of the Maoming Fire Brigade to rush to the scene of the accident overnight.

At the scene, the * agency evacuated personnel within a 2-kilometer radius of the leaking tank area, and dispatched personnel from *, * and other departments to be vigilant. Unrelated personnel were not allowed to enter the dangerous area, and all sources of fire were prohibited. Surrounding factories and enterprises were temporarily suspended and personnel were evacuated.

At 9:00 am on the 5th, the leakage pressure of tanks 2 and 3 tended to stabilize, and the time was ripe for plugging the leak! The plugging of liquefied petroleum gas cylinders tests both technology and courage.Zhang ZhitianTogether with two firefighters, Zhang Yuqing and Zhang Yuqing, wearing anti-static underwear, emergency rescue gloves, rescue helmets, carrying safety ropes, homemade wooden leak sealing equipment, a fire ladder, and three additional leak sealing technicians from Dongxing Refinery, we formed a leak sealing team and boarded Tank 3 to carry out the leak sealing task.

Due to the fact that all three tanks of Fudu Gas are nearly 20 meters high, the typhoon damaged the iron ladder used for inspection and cannot directly reach the top of the tank. After careful discussion, the firefighters used bamboo ladders to climb up and then climbed up using the sprinkler pipe of the tank to reach the top of the tank.

Until 6:30 am on October 6th, all liquefied petroleum gas was successfully transported, taking 40 hours to resolve a major explosion crisis that was just around the corner.

　　Dialogue with Firefighters

　　When I received the task, I thought to myself, 'What if there's an explosion?'

Yesterday afternoon,Southern MetropolisThe reporter found the firefighter who risked his life climbing a rope to climb onto a tank to seal the leakZhang ZhitianTell Zhang Yuqing about the life and death moments of a blocked jar.Zhang ZhitianZhang Yuqing is a veteran firefighter with 18 years of rich experience in various rescue operations, while Zhang Yuqing is a new "soldier" who has only joined the firefighting team for less than 3 years.

　　Southern MetropolisHave you ever dealt with such a large leakage incident before?

　　Zhang ZhitianI have dealt with similar situations before, but this is the first time I have encountered such a large leak. On the afternoon of October 4th, my colleagues and I rushed to the scene. A few hundred meters away, we heard the piercing sound of liquefied gas leaking from the tank and thought to ourselves, 'This is a big deal.'; It is rare for three tanks to leak simultaneously.

　　Southern MetropolisHow difficult is it to handle?

　　Zhang ZhitianVery large. Before implementing the leak plugging, two other comrades and I went in to investigate and collect on-site information for the subsequent leak plugging. Upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that a large amount of leaked liquefied gas had accumulated under the three tanks. Any slight friction caused static electricity on site could potentially trigger an explosion.

　　Southern MetropolisIs there any pressure in your heart?

　　Zhang ZhitianTo be honest, I was under a lot of pressure at that time, mainly because I had no idea if I could successfully seal the leak. I also thought about what to do if there was an explosion? Thinking of myself, thinking of my wife and 8-year-old son at home. I am the pillar of my family. What should I do if something happens to me?

In addition to my own home, the greater burden is that if I accidentally explode, over 800 tons of liquefied petroleum gas, and there are more than 10 hazardous chemical factories nearby, if they explode, a radius of five or six kilometers will be blown into ruins; It doesn't matter if I am honored myself. There are so many of my colleagues on site, and there are also tens of thousands of ordinary people around. I really dare not think further. (Shaking his head, silent)

　　Southern MetropolisDid you ultimately take on this task and go up?

　　Zhang ZhitianYes.

　　Southern MetropolisHow to overcome this pressure?

　　Zhang ZhitianSomeone has to do things, I am a soldier.

　　Southern MetropolisHow did you choose Zhang Yuqing as your assistant at that time?

　　Zhang ZhitianI have taken him before and I know him quite well. This young man is bold, tough willed, skilled, and feels reliable.

　　Southern MetropolisWhat was the feeling at the moment when the leak was successfully sealed?

　　Zhang ZhitianIt was great. At that time, I told Xiao Zhang (note: Zhang Yuqing) and another comrade who also came to assist me in plugging the leak, brother, let's go down and have a few good drinks. On the one hand, we should celebrate the success of plugging the leak, and on the other hand, we should also put pressure on ourselves. (laughs)

　　Southern MetropolisClass monitor（Zhang Zhitian）I chose you as his assistant and risked my life and death to stop the leak together. Have you ever complained about the class monitor? Why did you choose me?

Zhang Yuqing: No, it's my duty as a soldier to obey orders. Since the squad leader has chosen me, whether it's a sea of fire or a mountain of knives ahead, I have to follow along; Besides, isn't the class monitor also on board.

　　Southern MetropolisDid you feel scared at that time?

Zhang Yuqing: I'm also afraid in my heart. If the class monitor chooses me, I must have confidence in myself.

Original title:Typhoon in GuangdongBlowing through oil and gas cylinders, if they explode, will threaten hundreds of thousands of people in Zhanjiang

Source: China Youth Network