Seven fire crews still fighting fire at Nairit plant
29.08.2017,
10:23
Armenia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations said seven fire crews were still working to put out the fire in the fourth tank with ethanol at Nairit chemical plant in Yerevan outskirts.
YEREVAN, August 29. /ARKA/. Armenia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations said seven fire crews were still working to put out the fire in the fourth tank with ethanol at Nairit chemical plant in Yerevan outskirts. It said as of 9 am today the fire in three of the four tanks was put out.
The ministry ruled out the danger of a repeated explosion or spread of fire. In a joint statement the ministries of nature protection and health said the air pollution near Nairit did not pose an immediate threat to people.
Speaking to Arka on August 28 evening a prominent Armenian environmentalist Karine Danielyan said the emissions could harm both the health of the people and the environment.
"As far as I understand, these emissions are harmful, but it is necessary to conduct a relevant research. I studied similar accidents elsewhere, and everywhere it is indicated that toxic fumes are released in such fires, but I can not say about harm, because there was an official statement that the emissions are completely safe, which surprises me," Danielyan said. According to her, a clear conclusion about the harm can be done only based on the results of the study.
"As a result of the combustion, carbon dioxide is released. The smoke that we observed settles on plants, buildings and land. In any case, serious research is needed, "Danielyan said.
The fire signal was received at 13:10 on August 28. According to shamshyan.com, the fire was preceded by an explosion at one of the reservoirs. Smoke and fire were visible from a distance of several kilometers.
Nairit Plant, once the largest producer of synthetic rubber in the former Soviet Union, has been idle since March 2010. It has accumulated debts of $100 million. A court in Yerevan declared the plant bankrupt late last year after considering a suit filed by the Electric Networks of Armenia.
Despite the court’s ruling Armenian ministry of energy infrastructures and natural resources announced in 2016 November a competition to attract an investor for the plant.
Earlier this month the government of Armenia said it would sign a memorandum of understanding with EU-ASIA Business Finance Center for the restart of the Nairit. -0-
The ministry ruled out the danger of a repeated explosion or spread of fire. In a joint statement the ministries of nature protection and health said the air pollution near Nairit did not pose an immediate threat to people.
Speaking to Arka on August 28 evening a prominent Armenian environmentalist Karine Danielyan said the emissions could harm both the health of the people and the environment.
"As far as I understand, these emissions are harmful, but it is necessary to conduct a relevant research. I studied similar accidents elsewhere, and everywhere it is indicated that toxic fumes are released in such fires, but I can not say about harm, because there was an official statement that the emissions are completely safe, which surprises me," Danielyan said. According to her, a clear conclusion about the harm can be done only based on the results of the study.
"As a result of the combustion, carbon dioxide is released. The smoke that we observed settles on plants, buildings and land. In any case, serious research is needed, "Danielyan said.
The fire signal was received at 13:10 on August 28. According to shamshyan.com, the fire was preceded by an explosion at one of the reservoirs. Smoke and fire were visible from a distance of several kilometers.
Nairit Plant, once the largest producer of synthetic rubber in the former Soviet Union, has been idle since March 2010. It has accumulated debts of $100 million. A court in Yerevan declared the plant bankrupt late last year after considering a suit filed by the Electric Networks of Armenia.
Despite the court’s ruling Armenian ministry of energy infrastructures and natural resources announced in 2016 November a competition to attract an investor for the plant.
Earlier this month the government of Armenia said it would sign a memorandum of understanding with EU-ASIA Business Finance Center for the restart of the Nairit. -0-
