File Photo
File Photo
A chemical plant fire prompted fire officials to tell nearby residents to shelter in place to protect themselves from airborne toxins.
WSB TV reports that emergency officials recently alerted residents of Crawford County of a fire at the Olin Epoxy plant and suggested that nearby residents shelter in place. Fire crews battled the blaze on July 15.
According to the The Telegraph, the chemical plant fire was in the small town of Roberta. Ricky Sharon, director of the Emergency Management Agency in Crawford County, advised that all Roberta residents shelter in place and stay away from the vicinity on Industrial Parkway, as the heat and airborne toxins posed a safety risk. The fire is currently under control following the work of local fire crews.
During the fire, Crawford County Sheriff's deputies laid out roadblocks to create a half-mile perimeter around the fire at Olin Epoxy, which somewhat ironically produces flame-retardant systems, The Telegraph said in its article.
In an interview with 13 WMAZ, Sharon explained how a chemical reaction with the epoxy went awry, causing the fire.
"An incorrect reaction is taking place in the tank, causing it to heat up, and then we have the release again, and we're waiting for everything to cool back down. Every 15 minutes, they stop the water to see if the reaction is stopping, and so far, it is not," Sharon told 13 WMAZ. "Once we stop that, then the temperature goes back up again. We exercise and we train with their chemical, with their folks inside. We do prepare, but you can always have the unexpected things occur."
On its website, Olin says that it is the "No.1 global manufacturer of epoxy products."
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