Tank explodes and catches fire at Stora Enso plant in Imatra

A tall oil tank ruptured in an explosion and caught fire at Stora Enso’s Kaukopää factory area in Imatra early Tuesday, Yle reported. No one was injured.

The factory control room detected the explosion and called the emergency services at about 2 a.m.

Toni Jaako, a duty fire officer with the South Karelia rescue service, said the tank had ruptured in an explosion-like manner. The accident occurred outdoors in the factory’s tank storage area, where various liquids are kept.

An estimated 50 cubic metres of tall oil spread across the yard. Firefighting operations lasted more than two hours, and about 15 rescue service units took part.

“Fortunately, no other tank was damaged. There was a significant risk, but the fire did not spread,” Jaako said.

Tall oil also entered Lake Saimaa through a stormwater drain. The rescue service began placing containment booms in the water early Tuesday morning, and the substance will be removed with a vacuum truck.

Jaako described tall oil as a bitumen-like, sticky substance that moves slowly through pipelines. He said it is biodegradable.

The cause of the accident is not yet known. Stora Enso is investigating why the pressure rose and caused the tank to rupture, Jaako said.