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Explosions rock chemical plant in US
A series of explosions rocked a chemical plant, causing a fire that lit up the night sky and prompted hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes, reported the Associated Press.
Authorities said no serious injuries were reported from the fire which broke out late Tuesday at the E.Q. Resource Recovery Inc. plant. Andrew Crawford, 18, who lives within a few blocks of the explosion site, was one of about 300 Wayne residents who went to a shelter at the local high school. "My backyard lit up orange," he said. "It was like a bomb went off." Witnesses described a series of loud explosions at the plant that shook the ground and shot flames and smoke into the air. The company specializes in treating, recycling and disposing of hazardous materials such as airplane deicing fluid and industrial paint solvents. By dawn Wednesday, the fire had subsided, but flames and smoke could still be seen coming from several tanks. The fire didn't threaten any homes and there was no risk of it spreading, officials said. Dan Gilbert, a plant spokesman, said one of the facility's two tank farms had been mostly destroyed. Eight employees were working at the plant when an emergency horn sounded, and they were all evacuated and none requested medical treatment, he said. "They really couldn't tell us any thing real concrete that would tell us what caused this," Gilbert said. "As soon as the situation stabilizes, we're going to start an investigation." The multiple explosions had prevented firefighters from getting close enough to determine the cause or learn exactly what was burning, said John Zech, city manager of neighboring Wayne. Firefighters did not attack the fire because there were no lives in danger and no risk of the fire spreading, officials said. The had no estimate Wednesday morning when the fire might burn itself out. Romulus Public Safety Director Chief Charles Kirby had urged residents within a mile of the fire to leave their homes. The area included about 1,000 homes in Wayne and 150 others in Romulus, officials said. By Wednesday morning, 20 residents had gone to Oakwood Healthcare System's hospitals in Wayne and Dearborn, where most complained of a burning sensation in their mouths or difficulty breathing, hospital spokesman Tom Worobec said. Most were treated and discharged, he said. Hazardous materials officials had tested the air quality and found no danger present, Kirby said. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency planned additional tests. Romulus, about 25 miles southwest of Detroit, is home to Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Mike Conway, a spokesman for the airport, said Wednesday morning that flights weren't affected by the fire.
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