The Mosaic Co. on March 27 reported that its Riverview phosphate fertilizer production facility in Florida sustained limited damage to ancillary operations from a brush fire earlier in the week, but production impacts associated with the incident may last four to six weeks.
The run rate at Riverview is approximately 30,000 mt per week. At the time of the fire, the company said the facility was configured to produce phosphate products primarily for export to Brazil.
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) responded to the brush fire at a phosphogypsum stack at the Mosaic facility just before 6 p.m. on March 25. The fire had extended to involve polyethylene pipes. HCFR said firefighters worked for several hours as high winds accelerated the fire and the pipes burned at extreme temperatures.
The fire was reported to be under control by 10:30 p.m., but firefighters remained onsite to deal with hot spots and ensure the fire did not reach Mosaic’s main facility on the property. One hot spot did develop around 10:30 a.m. on March 26.
HCFR reported that one firefighter was transported to a hospital but was released and is recovering. No other injuries were reported and no evacuations were called. Mosaic told the local press that no hazardous materials or chemicals were involved and there were no environmental impacts.