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Unusual Arson Case: Polymer Grains, A Mineral Spirit, Solid Bricks Containing Kerosene, and a Glycolether Used as Fuels

NCJ Number
218750
Author(s)
Gino Van Vaerenbergh
Date Published
January 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article analyzed the flammability of incendiaries used in an arson attempt on a polyethylene-recycling facility near Ghent, Belgium.
Abstract
Results indicated that the polyethylene grains in the incendiary devices contained the solvent PGEE and some of the grains also contained white spirit or kerosene. The green bricks within the incendiary devices were injected with kerosene. It can be assumed that the mineral spirits and the kerosene-filled bricks were used to improve the ignition of the PGEE and to accelerate the combustion of the wood, paper, and polyethylene grants. Thus, the combination of the ignition and combustion materials contained in the devices would have seriously damaged the facility had they not been discovered and extinguished by a guard at the facility. The analysis focused on the flammability of the PGEE, the white spirit, and the kerosene, both with and without the polyethylene grains. Contact with a regular lighter flame was used to assess flammability. A static headspace gas spectrometry analysis was used for screening and identifying any ignitable liquids. Both the liquid and the bricks were easily ignited, as was the combination of ingredients. Figures