![]() ![]() As the melted casing dripped onto the larger fuel piping, it damaged the valves in the line, fueling a much larger fire. That initial fire, which was likely small, caused the cover on the turbocharger, located directly above larger fuel pipes, to melt. Once the fitting leaked, a spray of fuel oil hitting the engine's extremely hot turbocharger could have been the initial source of ignition for the fire. Each cylinder on the engine has an individual fuel injection pump and a fuel injector, which opens and atomizes the fuel into a spray to send the correct amount of diesel fuel into the cylinder for the engine to operate. The report indicates that the most probable cause of the fire was that a nut connecting a fuel injector to a fuel injector pump failed, likely because it had been over or under-tightened and had developed a microscopic opening when the fuel injectors for pump engine #1 were replaced as a result of routine, preventive maintenance in June 2011. However, the report identifies two likely scenarios. The report finds that the cause could not be determined with absolute certainty because much of the equipment was damaged or destroyed in the fire. The plant uses a total of five engines to pump wastewater into the facility, though only two need to be in operation on a dry day. "From the beginning, it was clear that the original source of the fire was near one of the main sewage pump engines. Together with recommendations made by FDNY, the report will allow DEP to operate even more safely for our workers and the communities near our facilities. The release of this report and its key findings makes good on that promise. Russo Consultants, a fire investigation and analysis firm, and the team conducted a comprehensive review of the cause of the fire, including several site visits, extensive interviews with DEP staff, and a thorough collection of photographs, recovered materials and samples, like recovered metal parts, to be looked at for further analysis and testing in a laboratory. ![]() To assist in their effort, Black & Veatch retained T.J. "In addition, DEP committed to do a thorough, independent review and within days of the fire brought in an expert team from Black & Veatch, a world-renowned engineering, consulting and construction company with extensive experience in conducting forensic reviews of industrial incidents. DEP is implementing those improvements, and evaluating other suggestions that include more extensive construction work. The FDNY recommended improvements to the plan, including expanding DEP's existing incidence response protocols, conducting quarterly drills, and establishing lock boxes with key documents outside of plant structures. The North River Plant participates in regular inspections and walkthroughs with the FDNY, and each one of our 14 plants has an Emergency Action Plan, which was followed at the North River fire. "Immediately following the fire, DEP consulted with the FDNY. We also believe that DEP's preparation for such emergencies prevented any serious injuries to the public and our workers. The fact that severely damaged systems were back up and running within only two days, and not weeks, is a testament to everyone involved in the repair effort. During and after the fire, DEP and its contractors worked around the clock to stabilize the operations and put affected systems back in working order. Incidents like the fire show that we also have to be prepared for accidents. Removing pollutants from the waste stream involves expertise, complicated processes, heavy equipment, and a lot of energy and fuel, and DEP has an excellent track record for doing this work safely and reliably. "The four-alarm fire at the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant was a reminder about the vital work that DEP performs every day to treat an average of 1.3 billion gallons of wastewater daily. ![]() Statement from Commissioner Strickland On the Findings of the North River Fire Reportįarrell Sklerov / Michael Saucier (718) 595-6600 Statement from Commissioner Strickland On the Findings of the North River Fire Report ![]()
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