When contacted, Vale did not immediately comment on the request to open an investigation by the Santos MPF
The Federal Public Ministry in Santos (SP) ordered the opening of an investigation to investigate the fire recorded on Thursday in a fertilizer unit of the mining company Vale in Cubatão, due to concerns about possible leakage of chemical products, according to a statement from the MPF this Friday.
Prosecutors consider the investigation into the causes of the fire to be “urgent”, which according to them could pose a real health risk to the local population and workers in the region, as well as damage to the environment.
“Among the possible substances emitted into the atmosphere is ammonium nitrate, which causes irritation and can cause respiratory problems,” highlighted the MPF.
Vale Fertilizers stated, in a statement late Thursday night, that the fire was controlled and that a team was continuing to work “to put out small outbreaks that do not pose any risks”.
The company said there were no injuries and that two firefighters who felt unwell while fighting the fire were doing well. Residents and companies that needed to remove their employees from the vicinity after the fire have already been allowed to return.
Vale Fertilizers' Health, Safety and Environment Manager, Paulo Pimenta, said that during the fire there may have been a release of “slightly toxic smoke” in the region and that the company will investigate the causes of the incident.
“The next step is to carry out a detailed investigation to discover the cause of this fire, which is not common in this type of warehouse,” said the manager, in a video published by Vale on its website.
According to the company, the fire started on a conveyor belt that feeds the warehouse of the industrial complex's ammonium nitrate unit.
Unit 2, affected by the fire, has been in operation since 1970 and produces phosphate and nitrogen fertilizers.
