A SPECIALTY CHEMICAL PLANT IN COLUMBUS, WISCONSIN, is still free-burning this morning after the fire authorities decided to not apply any water because of the threat of explosive reactions.
Daily Citizen photo
The Daily Citizen reports:
According to Columbus Emergency Management Director Gerald Sallmann, an automated alarm in the plant notified 911 of a fire at 8:04 p.m.
Firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes. There were a series of explosions and two firefighters received minor injuries. The firefighters were in stable condition Monday night at Columbus Community Hospital.
Sallmann said at that point fire personnel retreated from the scene due to the risk of explosion.
Jim Neuman, who has lived a block from the site since 1991, said he smelled burning plastic around 7:30 p.m. and not long after heard four big explosions. After the arrival of the first fire trucks he heard four more explosions.
“The fire trucks had just arrived and then they had an explosion. There was some force there,” he said, adding that he saw a door or drum fly in the air in one of the explosions.
Moments after the Daily Citizen photographer took this
photo, a massive explosion rocked the plant and nearby area.
It was then that the FD withdrew and decided to let the chemicals burn off and allow the fire to consume itself.
According to the company Web site, Columbus Chemical Industries manufactures high purity acids and salts, analytical and production solutions for the pharmaceutical, semiconductor and electronics industries, among others.
WLUK-TV has this updated video report:
Overall, a total of 11 fire departments have responded to the scene with at least 150 firefighters. There has been an evacuation zone of 1/2-mile radius from the fire while it continues to burn.
The Beaver Dam Daily Citizen has the FULL STORY.
The Daily Citizen also has additional photos HERE.
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