ANCHORAGE, AK -- August 20, 1997 -- The Alyeska Pipeline Marine Terminal experienced two false fire alarms on Monday. In the morning an automatic fire detection system activated within a building housing high voltage switching equipment within the Vapor Recovery area. The Terminal-wide fire warning system was activated and personnel were safely evacuated from the area. Operating and fire team personnel responded and determined that no fire was present. The cause of the false activation of the fire detection system is under investigation.

The second incident occurred in the afternoon when the Valdez Terminal fire team responded to a radio call of a possible fire in a building housing Terminal Vapor Recovery equipment. Once again, the Terminal fire warning system was activated and personnel in the area were evacuated. The initial radio call was made by workers in the area who observed what appeared to be smoke rising from the beneath the area they were working in. The workers discharged two hand held fire extinguishers and evacuated the area. Responding fire team personnel found no indication that any smoke or flame had been present. Pipeline operation was not affected by either incident.

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