Chapter 796 - 514: Heard, You Guys Want to Change the Law?

The range and direct consequences of the explosion were not very large.

Besides being frightened and calculating, everyone had successfully evacuated to a safe distance, and the most serious injury was just a minor burn caused by the fire dragon’s eruption.

However, the subsequent impact of the explosion was significant.

The fire at tank 103 gained even more force, spreading wildly, emitting shrieks that stung the ears, pipelines shooting fireballs, and black smoke accompanied by flames like a volcanic eruption. The leaked oil formed thousands of square meters of flowing fire, surging in all directions like lava.

Manhole covers, valves, and other steel facilities were tossed into the air like pieces of paper blown by the wind, the entire oil depot glowing red like a steel-making furnace.

The original main battle position was completely gone.

Because tank 103 was located at a higher elevation, the flowing fire not only headed downwards to the south, pressing towards Road No. 5 in the port area, but also headed straight for the chemical hazardous goods storage area.

Chief Cong knew he could no longer keep it from the brothers below, as the leadership had just arrived at the scene and weren’t very clear about the situation. After each Squadron counted their numbers, he continued to organize dozens of containment lines. After barely deploying the lines, he immediately convened all the present leaders, main responsible persons of the Squadrons, and the person in charge of the port area oil depot for a meeting at the Command.

The person in charge of the port area unfolded the New Port blueprint and quickly briefed everyone on the situation.

As the chemical products stored at New Port had been inspected, the person in charge did not conceal anything.

But the detailed data genuinely shocked everyone again.

Fifty-one chemical tanks!

Toluene, xylene, deoxidizers, and even many highly toxic hydroxides!

Opposite Yingbin Road, the LNG (liquefied petroleum gas reserve tanks) area!

In such a small area, crude oil, refined oil, numerous chemicals, and Class 1 to 8 hazardous materials were all basically present.

The critical problem was that tanks 37 and 42 had been heated red by the flowing fire, and the neighboring high-risk chemical tank farm was in imminent danger.

The flowing fire going in was not an option.

The neighboring two tanks exploding was also not an option.

That night, the situation in the port area gave no one the choice, like a dynamic balancing challenge, constantly changing; in just three hours since the alert, the situation had changed repeatedly.

Many leaders at the scene were on their phones, going out to report to their superiors and seek support.

Chief Cong and the Command Department adjusted the map’s fire lines based on the current fire situation and planned new forces.

Even Fang Huai, who knew the outcome from a previous life, felt like he was walking on thin ice: he couldn’t afford a confident mindset and dared not speak carelessly, fearing that one wrong move could lead to complete disaster.

He only wanted to remain silent, using the full strength of the two Squadrons according to the original plan.

But an accident that put Fang Huai into a tight spot occurred.

The highest-ranking officer at the scene, Director Li, had just returned from a phone call.

"Which one of you is Comrade Fang Huai? Comrade Fang Huai! Answer the phone!"

Everyone couldn’t help but glance sideways, watching Director Li’s hurried manner, clearly speaking to a significant figure on the phone.

"That’s me!"

Fang Huai raised his hand, stepped forward to take the phone, and after a curt "Hello," he immediately stood up straight.

"Senior Leader!" Fang Huai called out the title.

At that, everyone around straightened up a bit more.

In Fang Huai’s ear, he also heard the solemn voice of the Senior Leader:

"Little Fang, at this critical moment of life and death, knowing you’re at the scene comforts me. What is the current situation? Is there any possibility of the disaster situation expanding further? Can the surrounding tanks be protected? Be truthful."

The leaders’ judgments all came from the reports on site, but the reply from Director Li just now sounded too official, too vague, and he wanted to hear a straightforward answer from the mouth of this young man.

Fang Huai didn’t really want to answer, fearing he would interfere with the natural course of events.

But he was very familiar with the situation and knew that the leaders wanted a professional judgment.

If he couldn’t make a judgment himself, it would be a disservice to the expensive and lengthy effort to build a professionalized path.

After hesitating for two seconds, Fang Huai still clenched his teeth and gave a frank response:

"Sir! With us here! I cannot guarantee the area around tank 103! But we are fully controlling the external combustion of tanks 37 and 42! The flowing fire will not enter the chemical tank area within three hours! But I can only guarantee three hours! Within these hours, please must gather all the rescue forces necessary to come for support!"

At this point, he stopped abruptly.

Actually, there was an "otherwise" to follow, but saying it would sound somewhat threatening.

On the phone, he also heard a long sigh of relief.

"Good! Very good! This is the only positive answer we have received so far! I’ve decided! I appoint Director Li as the overall field Commander! You and Chief Cong of the Dalian Firefighting Detachment will be Deputy Commanders! I have ordered that city leadership will not take part in command, and instead fully support you! Other reinforcements will also arrive as fast as possible! All necessary measures must be taken to control the outcomes of the disaster!"

Fang Huai responded firmly, "Yes! Leader!"

"Awaiting your good news! Please hand the phone back to Director Li!"

Fang Huai promptly passed the phone back to Director Li.

The site was perilously unstable; there was no time for indecision.

As for the leader’s mention of good news or bad news—as long as there could still be news, that was good news. If there were bad news, no one present would be able to report back.

Director Li made several promises into the phone, then ended the call.