NEWS RELEASE June 1, 2000 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH100031) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (334) 208-5806/Fax: (334) 208-5813 ASPAHLT TANK CATCHES ON FIRE Mobile Firefighters and members of the Mobile Fire-Rescue Haz Mat Team responded to an Asphalt Tank on fire at the GAF Corporation, located at 2400 Emogene Street shortly before 5:00 p.m. Thursday, June 1, 2000. Workers at the plant were filling the large tank with air and apparently the pressure built up to the point of causing the lid to blow off catching the hot asphalt inside on fire. The steam cooling system was unable to control the fire as it was damaged also. The tank measuring approximately 20-30 feet in diameter and approximately 12-16 feet deep contained approximately 800 gallons of the hot asphalt. The firefighters were unable to put use water on the fire except to cool off the outside of the tank and any surrounding exposures. Technicians from the Mobile Fire-Rescue Haz Mat Team were called to the scene to determine what course of action to take to extinguish the fire. It was recommended to let the fire burn itself out unless better methods were found. The asphalt was extinguished shortly after 9:00 p.m. and the only thing burning was the insulation around the tank. A fire crew would be left on the scene over night to monitor the fire. No injuries were reported and a damage estimate was not available. Engines 9, 12, 23, 15, truck 10, Haz Mat 15, rescue 23 and District 3 Chief Mike Farver responded ###