Ferndale Firefighters Respond to Potentially Explosive Chemical Leak at Fermical

Ferndale Fire Chief Kevin Sullivan is warning residents and businesses about the potential dangers of improperly stored chemicals after an incident Monday that Sullivan says could have easily turned disastrous.

Ferndale firefighters responded to an odor complaint around 10 a.m. Monday at 1360 Hilton. It was discovered that a business there – Fermical, which specializes in the pharmaceutical industry and had been temporarily closed for about a year – had a leak in one of the chemical tubs it was storing there.

The chemicals – including ethyl acetate and methyl ethyl ketone – were being stored in 55-gallon drums that had suffered water damage and had begun to rust, causing a leak in one of the tubs, Sullivan said.

"When we got in the odor was at what we call lower explosive limit," Sullivan said. "With the right ignition source it could have blown into kingdom come."

No one hurt in incident

Although fumes released from the chemicals could have been dangerous, Ferndale Fire Marshall Brian Batten said no one was hurt in the incident.

"No one to our knowledge was exposed to any high concentrations that would cause them any problems," Batten said.

The fire department called in a specialty service for cleanup, which the business owner paid for. Batten said the business had the proper allowances for having chemicals on site and the owner was unaware of the leak.

Fermical could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Household cleaners just as risky, fire chief says

Sullivan said the incident highlights the importance of properly storing all chemicals and disposing of those not being used.

"Pretty much any business or resident that has chemicals in storage should check their containers regularly," he said, pointing out that even the cleaners many residents have in their cupboards can be dangerous. "Household chemicals are just as nasty."

Sullivan said he distinctly remembers a house fire several years ago in Ferndale caused by the accidental mixing of chemicals. The resident's cat knocked over a shelf causing powder and liquid from her household cleaners to mix, and then a spark from the water heater caused an explosion. The resident called 911 and firefighters arrived 3 1/2 minutes later.

"She lost her utility room, wash room, kitchen and part of her living room," Sullivan said. "It was a fast-moving fire but again, chemicals that shouldn’t have mixed were all stored together."

"If you’re not using the chemicals it’s just better to get rid of it."

Polar Environmental odors alarm residents

On Dec. 2, , an industrial wastewater and oil treatment facility in Ferndale, released an oily odor  in more than 400 calls to Consumers Energy from residents in Ferndale, Berkley, Pleasant Ridge and Royal Oak.

The odor, which was , was caused by employee error, the company said.

the Michigan Department of Enivronmental Quality Air Quality Management Division to prevent it from happening again.