Just before 7 p.m. on January 8, 2000, small quantities of coke oven gas were due to be used in generating unit 2 of the Ruhrort power station. Seconds after one of the coke oven gas burners started there was an explosion in the gas line. This was followed by two further explosions, the biggest near generating unit 4. The coke oven gas line burst close to boiler 4 and the resulting blast wave wrecked windows and thin building walls. Cars parked in the vicinity were damaged by falling bricks and window frames, but there were no injuries. After the coke oven gas line was closed off, gas residues caused small fires on the 50 meter high roof of the boiler house which were visible at some distance.

ThyssenKrupp Stahl's own firefighting team and the Duisburg fire department were alerted automatically by sensors and were on the scene directly after the incident occurred. They secured the area, set up road blocks and constantly measured the concentration of gas in the building.

The cause of the incident is currently being investigated; it is not expected to affect production at ThyssenKrupp Stahl. North Rhine-Westphalian environment minister Bärbel Höhn visited the site later the same evening and was given detailed information by the company.

Duisburg, January 8, 2001