Cause of fireworks factory blast remains a mystery
Fireworks enthusiasts are in the dark over the cause of the explosion at St Joseph Fireworks Factory in Ghaxaq last night.
Marvic Abela, president of St Joseph Musical Society, which includes the fireworks factory, said the blast, which took place at 11.38 p.m., had destroyed a room where substances were mixed but there was no one there at the time and no machinery was being used.
"We have no idea what caused this, the amount of material was small because we have not started making fireworks for the new season."
He explained that the complex consisted of 14 rooms. The blast destroyed one of them as well as the facade.
Volunteers were this morning clearing the debris and rebuilding a boundary wall.
Mr Abela said a court expert had inspected the site and AFM explosives experts had lifted samples of the material for testing.
The society, he said, was keen to receive the result, lest some materials were defective.
Asked if the blast could have been caused by lightning, he said there was no lightning or rain at the time.
He thanked the AFM, the Civil Protection Department and the Police for their assistance last night.
See also:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090925/local/ghaxaq-fireworks-factory-explodes
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D Galea
Sep 25th 2009, 22:01
@ Frank Zammit : Its Passion ok. but keep the unpassionate out of it. i work early mornings, and like me there are thousands. Now, Frank, explain why I should be passionate about petards taking off from 07:30am till 11pm? My furniture rattles with each and every one of them. I live just off the seashore (not a nulti-million apartment but a humble one) where the firework barge is normally situated.
The colour ones are a work of art and you people must be applauded for your sheer immagination. but the petards! why? these only give satisfaction to the people that create them but a huge niusance to the rest of the population. Can't you realise this? People are up to their necks on petards. They scare the hell out of children, animals and anything that breathe or move.
I like fireworks. Whenever I can during summer, I go down near the sea to see the colourful festival created by people that share the same passion as you do.....until the first petard is blown off.
steve elliott
Sep 25th 2009, 18:07
@S. Calleja. Good answer. You obviously paid attention to your science teacher.
Adrian Zahra
Sep 25th 2009, 17:04
Given the dominant southerly winds and the very high levels of humidity I would say that static energy is the least of concerns. I would be lead to imagine more a reaction with water due to the high level of humidity especially if the mixtures in question contain magnesium and/or aluminum in the presence of a nitrate. Luckily no one got injured. To all enthusiasts please ensure that mixtures are always kept away from water as this may sometimes trigger unwanted reactions.
S. Calleja
Sep 25th 2009, 16:44
How about static? Before a thunderstorm, air particles are charged and due to wind, some ungrounded conductors or even grounded conductors can build up a substantial amount of voltage causing minute sparks between the material and ground...
Frankie Zammit
Sep 25th 2009, 16:15
It's called passion Mr Vella. Not everyone understands this word in todays world.
Daniel Vella
Sep 25th 2009, 15:39
While I'm relieved that no one got hurt, I do find it funny how volunteers have already started to rebuild the boundary wall. Anything for the festa, right?