[Press Release] : City of Columbia Missouri Information Request

[Press Releases]

Media Release



Contact: Battalion Chief Steven Sapp

573-874-7557 Office (M-F, 8-5)





UPDATE – Origin and Cause



503 South College Ave - Laboratory Explosion



Columbia Fire Department investigators have concluded their investigation into the explosion and fire at Schweitzer Hall, 503 South College Ave, on June 28, 2010.



The origin of the explosion was inside of an anaerobic chamber and the cause was accidental.



Investigators, after examining scene evidence and conducting extensive interviews with the researchers in the laboratory at the time of the incident, found that hydrogen gas was inadvertently introduced into the chamber in sufficient quantities to explode and an ignition source inside the chamber ignited the hydrogen gas.





Researchers told investigators the anaerobic chamber where procedures are performed had been dismantled and then reassembled and they were in the process of “washing” the interior of the chamber with what they believed was pure nitrogen gas. It appears that the tank containing hydrogen gas was accidentally left in the open or partially open position which allowed explosive levels of hydrogen gas to collect in the chamber.



Inside the chamber were several potential sources of ignition including a heater, a fan, and a catalyst material which produces heat. Fire investigators are not able to determine the exact cause of ignition.



The University of Missouri News Bureau will issue a release concerning their investigation, findings, and actions.





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