Posted on 12/06/2006 6:37:55 AM PST by Milwaukee_Guy
Edited on 12/06/2006 7:09:22 AM PST by Lead Moderator. [history]
MILWAUKEE - An explosion and three-alarm fire have been reported at the Falk Corporation, 3001 W. Canal Street in the Menomonee Valley. Smoke is heavy and crews are on the scene. Authorities are reporting several buildings on fire.
Reports are that one building collapsed and another is in danger. Large chunks of one roof are falling off. The explosion could reportedly be felt for miles. Twenty to thirty people may have been injured. Falk Corporation is a global manufacturing company headquartered in Milwaukee. The company was founded in the 1840's.
Live video feeds -
WTMJ 4 (NBC affiliate) - mms://journalbg-tmj4-webcast.wm.llnwd.net/journalbg_tmj4_webcast
WISN 12 (ABC affiliate) - http://www.themilwaukeechannel.com/video/10474161/detail.html
Mayor Tom Barret starting presser now.
Deferring to MFD and MPD spokespeople because he doesn't know crap.
Annie Schwartz, the MPD spokesgal is a former media hack.
Don't expect much from this crowd other than backlslapping and prpared statements.
I'm wondering if they build gears/transmissions for tanks and warships?
Just asking...
Family Hotline number is 414-286-3616.
Da Mayor,
Unclear if there is any current risk of further explosions.
Overpasses and off ramps near the area are closed.
Thanks for posting that link. We don't have cable. Huge area of devestation. Wow.
What a mess.
Da Mayor not giving any information about injuries or fatalities.
More information at 1:00 pm CST.
Annie Swartz of MPD not giving any info either.
I told you they are both a waste of time.
I like the way the news babe (ch 12) is trying to stick the company with safety violations already.
/s
25 injured
1 missing
Secondary search underway
Family members of Falk workers can either to go Friday's Sports Bar and Grille at Miller Park or call (414) 286-3616
"Any air quality concerns?"
Mayor/Annie "Don't know."
"Missing person?"
"Don't know."
"When will roads be open?"
"Don't know"
"I like the way the news babe (ch 12) is trying to stick the company with safety violations already."
Last problem was way back in the 70's.
After seeing the camera pan the scene of the explosion, it's unbelievable that there wasn't more loss of life and injuries.
"Just wait until "gov" Doyle appears. I wonder how much money he can scam from this."
Pay for Play Doyle!
"After seeing the camera pan the scene of the explosion, it's unbelievable that there wasn't more loss of life and injuries."
Not an expert, but once the smoke cleared I'm seeing evidence of a low velocity explosion caused by some sort of gas seeping into the destroyed buildings.
Frames of the destroyed buildings are still standing, for the most part but all the metal sheating and contents have been scattered for many many yards.
The expansion of water to vapor is incredibly powerful. A can of coke dropped in a furnace of molten metal or a salt bath for heattreatment would most likely kill every one in the room. The forces generated are incredible. Knew of a case in Michigan where a hot water heater pipe leaked in a furnace and destroyed the entire building. Good thing in that case in was at off hours.
Or how about hydrualic fluid spewing into molten aluminum.Water on molten aluminum is bad enough. Molten aluminum is about five times more explosive than TNT.
Magnesium, of course, is worse.
-Eric
Also the condensation on an ingot that has not be heated will cause the furnace to explode. The ingot may appear dry but there is almost always some water on the surface until it is prehated above boiling.
Also the condensation on an ingot that has not be heated will cause the furnace to explode. The ingot may appear dry but there is almost always some water on the surface until it is prehated above boiling.To cause a really big explosion the liquid needs to get under the surface. Charging cold ingot will cause spatter, but not (usually) an explosion.
The irony is preheating ingot also greatly improves process efficiency, but some just won't do it.
-Eric
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