During the rainy season in east Venezuela, a family was driving in their sedan through water when tragedy struck. On the surface of the water rested a layer of flammable residue, released from a nearby tank farm. Then lightning struck (according to the official report), and two parents and their three-year old daughter burned to death. Poor maintenance at the tank farm is to blame for allowing flammable materials to leak out. It’s also possible that lightning didn’t ignite the fuel, but the gasoline engine of the car did. This shows how diesel engine are safer alternatives, less likely to ignite and explode. Regardless, this tragedy shows how we need to be aware of our surroundings and the dangers that may exist.
Key Takeaways:
- In Venezuela, a horrible tragedy killed a family of three who were in their car on a flooded road.
- A tank farm failed to maintain its drains, allowing flammable compounds to be washed into nearby roads.
- A diesel tank would not have exploded the way the gasoline tank did, and a diesel engine electric system shouldn’t generate sparks that can ignite fumes.
“What it was abnormal was a huge pool with flammable liquid residues floating on top.”