Ship dismantling project at Vallejo's Mare Island delayed after smoke alarm goes off:

Vallejo firefighters ready a water line Friday as a precaution during the investigation of a possible fire at the Solon Turman, back, which is being dismantled at the Mare Island drydocks. (Lanz Christian Bañes/Times-Herald) A partially dismantled ship at the Mare Island drydocks will be closely monitored for 24 hours after a possible fire Friday.

A smoke alarm went off at about noon in one of the holds of the Solon Turman, which is being dismantled by Allied Defense Recycling, said Jay Anast, managing director of that company.

Bill Tweedy of the Vallejo Fire Department said workers had been cutting metal with butane torches when one cut into one of the ship's fuel tanks. There is less than 400 gallons of remnant fuel oil left in the tank, Tweedy said.

Though it was unclear whether there was an actual fire, smoke was seen coming from the vents and carbon dioxide levels in the ship rose, Tweedy said.

Operations immediately shut down, all personnel were removed from the ship and the area sealed off, Anast said.

There were 65 employees on board at the time of the incident, he added.

Firefighters began pumping 2,000 cubic feet of carbon dioxide and argon gas because the gas is inflammable, inert and heavier than air, displacing oxygen and extinguishing any smoldering, Tweedy said.

Firefighters got the situation under control within an hour, Tweedy said.

Fire officials did not want to open up the tank because oxygen could cause combustion, Tweedy said.

Personnel will be allowed back on the ship once the 24 hours are over and the fuel tank vented, Tweedy said.

Source: Times-Herald. 23 April 2011

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