Minas Gerais: Firefighters Continue Responding to EVA Factory Blaze After 15 Hours, Three Critically Injured
Firefighters are still working to extinguish the remnants of a fire at an EVA (ethylene-vinyl-acetate) factory in Perdigão, Minas Gerais, more than 15 hours after an explosion occurred. The blaze, which produced a large, dark plume of smoke visible from a distance, has left three individuals with severe burns. The victims, aged 27, 41, and 36, sustained burns covering approximately 80%, 70%, and 30% of their bodies, respectively. They were transported in critical condition to hospitals in Divinópolis, Pará de Minas, and Nova Serrana. The 27-year-old victim, with 80% burns, was intubated and taken to the Complexo de Saúde São João de Deus in Divinópolis. The 41-year-old, with 70% burns, was sent to Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Pará de Minas, and the 36-year-old, with 30% burns, to Hospital São José in Nova Serrana. The fire's intensity was exacerbated by the large quantities of petroleum derivatives, EVA, and diesel fuel stored within the facility. Approximately 50 people were employed at the factory, though not all were present at the time of the incident due to the lunch break. Five fire trucks were deployed to combat the flames and prevent their spread. While the company had an approved fire prevention plan, it had not yet undergone the final inspection for the necessary safety certification (AVCB).
This incident highlights the critical importance of timely safety inspections and certifications for industrial facilities, particularly those storing significant quantities of flammable materials. While the factory had an approved fire prevention plan, the absence of a final inspection and certification (AVCB) suggests a potential gap in regulatory oversight or company compliance. The severity of the injuries underscores the immediate risks associated with such fires and the need for robust emergency response protocols. Moving forward, a review of the inspection and certification process may be warranted to ensure that approved plans are consistently and promptly translated into certified safety compliance, thereby mitigating risks to workers and the surrounding community in the face of inevitable industrial hazards.
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