ENS 56733
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
00:00 Sep 11, 2023 | |
| Title | Fire at Facility Containing Radioactive Gauges |
| Event Description | The following report was received via telephone and email by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency [the Agency]:
At approximately 1900 [CDT] on 9/10/23, a fire/explosion was reported at the Archer Daniels Midland facility located at 4666 East Farie Parkway in Decatur, IL. Information available at this time indicates a flammable hexane environment may have contributed to the incident. The Agency contacted the facility at approximately 2100 [CDT] on 9/10/23 to determine the status of the 23 radioactive gauges located within the building. The gauges contain a quantity of radioactive material that if impacted by the fire could present non-life threatening but elevated exposure rates to first responders. At 0945 [CDT] on 9/11/23, the Agency made contact with the Radiation Safety Officer at the facility. He stated the gauges are in an adjacent part of the facility (shared wall) which remains to be determined if impacted. It was noted that the area containing the gauges has an elevated hexane concentration. The Agency is actively coordinating with the facility's radiation safety staff and the Macon County Emergency Management Agency to provide information to first responders and coordinate a site visit to determine the status of the devices. If additional information regarding integrity of the devices is not available by midday, the Agency will coordinate a site visit. Reportedly, site access is still limited and information is still forthcoming to emergency managers. The 23 Texas Nuclear Model 5205 gauges range in activity from 50 to 100 mCi of Cs-137. Information available indicates 4 gauges contain 100 mCi of Cs-137 and 19 gauges contain 50 mCi of Cs-137. 8 additional gauges containing up to 500 mCi of Cs-137 are located in other onsite buildings, but are not anticipated to have been impacted. It is unclear if the Texas Nuclear Model 5205 gauges or their containers have been impacted by the fire/explosion at this time. On scene assessment is not immediately possible and may not be within the 24-hour reporting timeframe. The matter is being reported at this time and will be retracted if the gauges are found to be undamaged. Illinois Incident Number: IL230024
The following is a summary of an update received via email from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency: The licensee's hazmat response staff was able to enter the building late yesterday (9/11/23) and indicated none of the 23 radioactive gauges appear impacted by the fire. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) nuclear safety staff still plan to perform confirmatory surveys and wipes once the building can be safely accessed. IEMA staff are working with the licensee and county Emergency Management Agency officials to coordinate that site visit. Based on the information available, IEMA staff do not have any radiation exposure or accountability concerns at this time. This incident will be kept open until Agency staff have conducted a site visit and confirmed the integrity of the 23 devices. Notified the Region 3 duty officer and NMSS events.
Agency staff conducted a reactionary inspection with Macon County Emergency Management Agency officials on 9/28/23. The gauges were assessed and determined to not have been damaged by fire or percussion. Therefore, this event is requested to be retracted. Notified R3DO (Orlikowski), NMSS Events (email). |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Archer Daniels Midland Company Decatur, Illinois (NRC Region 3) | |
| License number: | IL-01506-01 |
| Organization: | Illinois Emergency Mgmt. Agency |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+13.8 h0.575 days <br />0.0821 weeks <br />0.0189 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Gary Forsee 13:48 Sep 11, 2023 |
| NRC Officer: | Brian P. Smith |
| Last Updated: | Sep 29, 2023 |
| 56733 - NRC Website | |
Archer Daniels Midland Company with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 567332023-09-11T00:00:00011 September 2023 00:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Fire at Facility Containing Radioactive Gauges 2023-09-11T00:00:00 | |