Montgomery Fire – United Parcel Service Hub – October 30, 2001

FACTS CONCERNING THIS SUSPICIOUS  FIRE

• Heightened Security Concerns since 9/11 regarding the potential of Attacks through the use of UPS facilities (see memos)
• Testimony given to Congress regarding these concerns (see voicemail transcript from Dan Silva, Corporate Head of UPS Security )
• One Memo instructed UPS to report any suspicious activity regarding hazardous materials to the National Security Office in accordance with the FMCSA ( memo dated 9/18/01)
• Early Morning of October 30,2001, package catches on fire for no apparent reason
• Employees use 6-8 fire extinguishers but fire continues to grow hotter, shooting out fire balls, burning white hot and consuming the conveyor belt in flames (see witnesses statements)
• Building evacuated
• Montgomery Fire Department responds to fire and has it extinguished in 23 minutes
• One employee carried to the hospital
• Fire causes over $100,000 in damage to building and over 5000 packages were involved
• Investigation into cause of fire stopped
• Cause of fire to be reported as friction on package that sat on conveyor belt too long
• Department of Transportation (DOT) Form 5800 completed with “unknown” as answers
• Debris is haul to local dump without inspection or samples taken
• Conveyor work crews from several states brought in and repairs to the building and conveyor belts completed in 18 hours after fire
• National Security Office was not notified concerning this incident
• Alabama District Security Manager was terminated inappropriately (see Judge Avery’s order) 
• June 8-9, 2004, A hearing is held in Birmingham, Alabama by Federal Administrative Law Judge C. Richard Avery
• December 2, 2004, Judge C. Richard Avery issues a Recommended Decision and Order (see Judge Avery’s order)