The fire that caused explosions at the Pyrozzar factory in Salto (SP) on Friday morning (13) was fully controlled by the Fire Department in the early hours of Saturday (14). The fire started around 10am the previous day and was contained at 2am the following morning, resulting in a 16-hour task force for combat teams.
Around 50 employees worked at the site, which is close to Rodovia Prefeito Hélio Steffen (SP-75). The explosion caused a giant cloud of smoke that could be seen from miles away. Neighbors filmed the fire and several families had to leave their homes for safety reasons. The causes of what happened will be investigated by the authorities.
According to Salto City Hall, the incident left at least 12 people injured, including one of the company's owners, military police, firefighters and civilians.
The Government of São Paulo mobilized 60 firefighters and 22 vehicles. This Saturday, four vehicles were still involved in the aftermath work. According to the Fire Department, the operation has already used approximately 400 thousand liters of water.
The Military Police Águia helicopter was also at the scene and landed on the factory grounds, from where it took off at around 12:10 pm on Friday. Avenida das Nações, where the company is located, was closed.
A guardianship counselor went to the location to provide support to families advised to leave their homes. According to the city hall, the population should only seek out the Municipal Hospital in cases of urgency or emergency to avoid overloading the unit, which is mobilized to care for the victims.
Seven injured people had been identified until the last update of this report:
Marcio Araújo, one of the owners, had 70% of his body burned and will be transferred to Hospital Sírio Libanês, in São Paulo (SP), according to Pyrozzar's advisors;
Marcio José Paludeto, Civil Defense coordinator;
Celso Comunian Pereira, a firefighter from Indaiatuba (SP), suffered first and second degree burns to his face;
Daniel de Castro Callegari, a firefighter in Salto (SP), is in serious condition, with burns to his airways. He was intubated at Monte Serrat Hospital and transferred to HC in São Paulo;
Fernando Pedroso Cruz, a firefighter in Salto (SP), suffered burns to his body and was taken to the Monte Serrat Hospital, but will be transferred to the Sumaré State Hospital;
Leonardo de Jesus Silva Araujo, a firefighter in Ibiúna (SP), suffered burns to his body and was taken to Monte Serrat Hospital. He will also be transferred to the Sumaré State Hospital.
Pedro Paulo, a Civil Defense agent from Salto, was intubated and will be transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The unit where he is admitted was not disclosed.
The moment of the explosion
A live broadcast showing the start of the fire recorded the moment an explosion happened and employees who were outside the company fled the scene.
In the video, it is also possible to hear people's reactions as they announced the explosion and shouted for more people to leave the scene.
About the company
Pyrozzar Indústria Química e Comércio Ltda. was created in July 1973 and has been operating in the chemical sector for over 50 years. According to information released by the company itself, the factory specializes in the production of industrial paints, varnishes, solvents, thinners and waterproofing agents.
The industry also works with the collection and reuse of chemical waste, such as paint sludge and contaminated solvents from other companies.
In a statement, Pyrozzar Pirosol confirmed the explosion at the industrial unit and is investigating the causes. He also said that the current priority is the safety and well-being of all employees, neighboring communities and control of the situation.
"Our technical team and the competent authorities are already working on site. All emergency protocols were activated immediately. The Fire Department is on site and the area has been isolated. We are providing full assistance to the employees directly involved and their families", says the company.
