In 2003, what is thought to have been a deliberately started fire, burned for about three weeks, resulting in the largest human-made release of sulfur dioxide ever recorded.

In June 2003, it was the site of the largest human-made release of sulfur dioxide ever recorded when a fire (thought to have been deliberately started) gained control and burned for about three weeks.

[1] At its height, the fire was putting 21,000 tons of sulfur dioxide a day into the atmosphere.

On 22 October 2016 the plant was set alight by ISIL militants as part of the Battle of Mosul.

[3] The total mass of the released sulfur dioxide was estimated to approximately 161,000 tons distributed over seven days, equivalent to a small volcanic eruption.