The noise of explosions, a large ball of fire and the smell of paint in the air marked the beginning of Friday (13), in Salto (SP), after the large explosion followed by fire that hit the Pyrozzar chemical products factory. Witnesses who were nearby reported moments of fear and running after the first explosions.
The fire started around 10:30 am, in the unit located in the Olaria neighborhood, close to Rodovia Prefeito Hélio Steffen (SP-75). The fire caused a series of explosions and mobilized teams from the Salto Fire Department and other cities. A live broadcast recorded the moment the explosion occurred outside the company. Watch above.
According to Salto City Hall, the fire left at least 12 people injured, including one of the company's owners, military police, firefighters and civilians. The company reported that around 50 employees were working at the site at the time of the explosion.
Residents of nearby areas were instructed to leave their homes while teams worked to combat the flames.
Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz (CPFL) reported that the electricity supply in the region was turned off for safety reasons and will be reestablished when there are safe conditions for operation. The company Ypê, which is close to the factory, evacuated its employees.
‘Fire will come on me’
Trader Rafael Salvador was passing through the neighborhood when he witnessed one of the explosions. To g1, he said that he stopped the car to observe the fire, but had to leave the scene quickly after a second explosion, which he considered even stronger.
"I was passing by the place when the fire started, there had already been one of the first explosions. Then, passing nearby, there was this second, stronger explosion. I was looking out of the car, I closed the windows and ran out of fear that a fireball would arrive", he reported.
Witnesses report explosions during fire at Salto factory — Photo: Reproduction
According to Rafael, people who were close to the factory would also have been affected by the heat of the explosion. He wasn't hurt. "I was in the car, nothing happened to me. I just passed by. The fire is quite big," he said.
The driver said he had never seen an explosion of that size up close. "I've seen fires, things like that, but having an explosion on my side as big as this one was, it was a big scare. I closed the car window and said: 'Fire is going to come on me'", he recalled.
Evacuation
Concern also affected residents close to the factory. On TV TEM, a resident reported that she heard the first explosion at around 9am and that, since then, residents had been trying to get help to deal with the situation.
According to her, there was concern about the possibility of a new explosion and the presence of chemicals at the site.
"We have been in this despair since 9 am, when we heard the first explosion. We went down and started asking for firefighters, asking for firefighters from another city, but it took a while. And the instructions were to leave, evacuate, but it is difficult because there is pasture, there are no people helping, the people are very desperate", he stated.
Witnesses report explosions during fire at factory in Salto — Photo: Reproduction/Personal archive
Another resident of the region, Rafael Giponi, also reported having noticed the effects of the fire even though he was at home, close to the industry. “I live close to the place and you can smell paint in the air,” he told TEM TV.
Engineer Ivanilda Nascimento was working when she received videos of the explosions shared by residents. Upon realizing that the fire was happening close to his house, he decided to return to the property to remove the dog. She informed TV TEM that upon arrival, it was still possible to access the residence, but the explosions continued.
"I took the dog, got the water and a little bit of food and left the house. I already evacuated, went downstairs, where there is a school, and rested for a while", he said.
A resident of the region since 2015, she said she had never witnessed a similar situation. The movement in the streets was intense and people were frightened by the noise of the explosions.
"It was full of people. It's an absurd, scary thing. The explosions were terrible, everyone was scared, they were running here and there. People didn't even react, just looking and filming", he reported.
Ivanilda left the place with the dog and supplies — Photo: Reproduction/TV TEM
‘My dog is inside’
Logistics assistant Sabrina Rangel lives in a building next to the factory. She was on her lunch break when she received the news that the fire had started and that residents needed to leave the properties.
When she tried to return home, she was prevented from accessing the place and her biggest concern was for the dog that had been left inside the apartment.
"I received the news that the business in front of our apartment was on fire. They ordered everyone to evacuate and I was nervous because my dog is inside. No one says whether she is okay or not", she lamented.
Sabrina said she heard about attempts to rescue animals in other homes, but still had no information about her dog's situation.
"They rescued some animals, they said they broke down doors to try to catch animals that were barking, crying, but mine was probably quiet. They didn't give any information", he reported.
Cleaning assistant Cleide Leite also received news of the explosion from her daughter. She said that the young woman had gone out and was unable to return home because of the lockdown in the region. The family's animals remained at the residence.
"My daughter said that the explosion had happened and that now she couldn't go in. Her dog and parrot are at home, and we can't go in [...] I don't know what to do. We're worried, because I have pets at home", she reported.
Mother leaves home with three children
Hairdresser Laura Lavinia Soares also had to leave her residence with her three young children after receiving instructions to evacuate the region. Not knowing when she could return, she left without being able to remove her family's belongings.
"It's horrible, it's desperate. With three children it's not easy. You have to leave with these three children. I left everything at home, all my material possessions, the refrigerator, everything", he said.
Laura said she heard an explosion and, afterwards, noticed the movement of neighbors, who were also leaving their properties.
Residents report moments of tension after a factory explosion in Salto — Photo: Reproduction/TV TEM
Donations and support for Firefighters
Salto City Hall informed, early this Friday afternoon (13), that they are collecting donations to help professionals who are on the front line fighting the fire at the factory.
Among the necessary items are water, isotonic drinks and quick snacks, which will be used to serve the teams mobilized in the operation.
Donations can be delivered directly to the Fire Department headquarters, located at Rua Henrique Viscardi, nº 731.
Injuries and care
The Government of São Paulo mobilized 60 firefighters and 22 vehicles to fight the large fire. Teams work to contain the flames, prevent the spread of fire and ensure the safety of the population around the incident.
The Águia helicopter, from the Military Police, was also at the scene and landed on the factory grounds, from where it took off at around 12:10 pm. Avenida das Nações, where the company is located, was closed. Residents of nearby areas were instructed to leave their homes while teams worked to combat the flames.
Fire hits chemical factory in Salto — Photo: Arte / g1
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.
