Multiple BLEVE's and fireballs of gas bottles: Case of a Russian road carrier accident

•A transportation accident with gas bottles is described.•Scenarios of multiple BLEVEs and fireballs are investigated.•Appropriate safety distances from overpressure and thermal radiation are developed.•Missile/projectile distance is found about ∼0.3 km.•Recommendations for the inclusion of learnings in future risk analysis are provided.

The scenarios of multiple BLEVEs (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosions), characteristics of multiple explosions and fireballs of flammable gas bottles are investigated within the context of a recent Russian road carrier accident. The applicability of available semi-empirical equations (models) to estimate the explosion overpressure and fireball characteristics e.g. diameter, elevation, Surface Emissive Power, irradiances, thermal safety distances and missile/projectile distances are evaluated. It is shown that the existing models are valid only for a scenario of single event of BLEVE and fireball. Hence, characterization of multiple BLEVEs and fireballs require appropriate estimation of an equivalent mass that actually contributes in the overall hazard. Such an equivalent mass helps to use the existing models and establish the safety distances that match the observed reality on the site very well.