Hydrogen Gas Explosion Injures Four at University of Missouri Biochemistry Lab
Columbia Fire Fighters were called at 2:20 p.m. on Monday, June 28, 2010 to 503 South College Avenue, Schweitzer Hall-University of Missouri, for a report of a structure fire.
Fire crews arrived and found indications that an explosion had occurred on the third floor. Glass and debris from the third floor Biochemistry Lab had rained down onto the sidewalk, courtyard, and driveway to the building. 17 third story windows were blown out. Crews proceeded to the lab and found a small fire, which was quickly extinguished. Most of the fire had been extinguished by the automatic sprinkler system which had been activated by the explosion.
Additional fire crews located four injured victims and began administering emergency medical care. All four patients were transported to University Hospital for treatment; one with life-threatening injuries, two with moderate injuries, and one with minor injuries. Injuries ranged from "impact" and "shrapnel" type injuries to burns and respiratory distress. At the time of this release, three of the victims have been released from the hospital and one has been admitted to the Burn Unit; however, their condition has been upgraded to "good." Two of the victims were post-doctoral students and one was a graduate student. The number of injuries was certainly reduced due to the campus being on summer break, with a significantly reduced number of people in and around this facility.
The lab suffered heavy damage during the explosion, but fortunately, there is no structural damage and the building is not in danger of collapse.
Initial reports of a 2000 psi tank of hydrogen gas exploding proved to be inaccurate witness reports. Once investigators were able to enter the building and sift through the debris, they discovered the hydrogen tank still intact.
Investigators from the Columbia Fire Department were on-scene and have determined the cause of the explosion to be human error during an experimental process. Lab personnel turned on the hydrogen tank supply to an anaerobic hood, and due to not being familiar with the warning systems designed to alert them when the hydrogen level was approaching explosive limits, the gas was left on. Once the gas reached an ignition source, it ignited and the explosion occurred. The University of Missouri will conduct additional investigations to determine what additional steps should be taken to avoid a similar incident.
The Columbia Fire Department will not be releasing any names of victims related to this incident. Please contact the University of Missouri News Bureau or the University of Missouri Police Department for any victim name inquiries.
Schweitzer Hall was built in 1912 and was named after former Professor Paul Schweitzer. The building houses the Biochemistry Department.
(Photographs of this incident are attached to the electronic copy of this release courtesy of the Columbia Fire Department.)
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