COLUMBIA, Mo. – A recent incident at the University of Missouri Medical School has left officials assessing the aftermath of an explosion and fire that caused significant damage to the building. According to a fire report, the incident, which occurred on the seventh floor of the medical school, is believed to have been caused by a blow torch igniting natural gas.
The fire marshal’s report estimates $5 million in property loss and $1 million in contents lost due to the fire. While the report points to three individuals as “involved” in the accident, university officials are still evaluating the extent of the damage caused by the incident.
The fire started when a worker was using an acetylene torch for brazing copper tubing on the seventh floor. A second worker noticed the fire and attempted to extinguish it before helping evacuate individuals from the building. It was reported that contractors were utilizing a black acetylene tank for pipe repair work when the fire and explosion unexpectedly occurred.
Upon entering the seventh floor, firefighters discovered signs of a significant explosion, such as blown out walls and doors. The report indicates that natural gas had accumulated on the eastern side of the floor and seeped into the HVAC system ducts. The ignition of insulation within the duct work by the brazing process led to the fire spreading until it encountered a concentration of natural gas, resulting in an explosion that consumed the remaining fuel.
Investigators also noted deficiencies in the water pipe system on the seventh floor, with missing sprinkler heads at the ends of piping and fittings that were sealed and painted over. The findings from the report shed light on the sequence of events leading to the destructive incident at the University of Missouri Medical School.