We were walking through our neighborhood when Kelly pointed out an aircraft flying extemely low. It was a Boeing 737 on final approach to RDU Airport, sporting a yellow-and-white livery I didn’t recognize. It was flying above the legal 500 feet but probably below 1000 feet, well below most approaches.
Now that we’re back it makes sense. The Decider In Chief is in town. The plane – flying lower than Bush’s poll numbers – was probably minimizing its exposure for security.
I was in the middle of some house projects Saturday when my brother Jeff called me up.
“Hey, have you been out today?” he asked. “There’s something going on at the water plant.”
He told me of a large number of fire trucks at the scene, including a HAZMAT team. I needed to cool off from working in the attic, so I grabbed my camera and headed that way.
I came upon four fire trucks, one police car, the fire chief’s car, a Wake Emergency Management car, an ambulance and a HAZMAT truck. The gate to the treatment plant was open and first responders were milling around in the shade.
I was snapping a few pictures of the scene when an RPD officer wandered up. He explained that mechanical equipment had started a fire in a room there. According to the officer, the chemicals weren’t explosive but they didn’t want them to catch fire.
He was kind of vague about what the chemicals would do. Two HAZMAT members in protective suits were walking away from the building. Neither was wearing breathing gear, so I assumed it couldn’t be that bad. Still, I wondered why four fire trucks showed up for what looked like a routine fire.
The building was labeled “potassium permanganate room.” Acccording to the Wikipedia article, potassium parmanganate is used to remove the sulfur smell from water. It isn’t flammable or reactive, but could cause irritation. It does ignite when mixed with certain chemicals, such as powdered sugar and water, and will create deadly chlorine gas when mixed with hydrochloric acid.
While this fire was quickly brought under control, it makes me wonder what other, more dangerous chemicals are over there and how careful the City of Raleigh is in handling those chemicals. That would make a good news story.
I’ve put up pictures from yesterday’s Americas’ Sail opening ceremonies in Beaufort. I spent a little time with Captain Horatio Sinbad and his crew, who are all great people, I might add.
The ships didn’t go anywhere yesterday as it was just the kickoff. The real excitement starts today through July 3rd, as Sinbad’s crew take the Meka II out to defend their trophy.
Check out the pictures in the gallery.
