|
March 16th - A 1,000-gallon tank containing nitric acid
exploded Monday afternoon outside the Air Products plant at the Pueblo
Industrial Park, but no serious injuries were reported and the area was
declared safe on Monday evening. The explosion occurred at 1:45 p.m.,
blowing out part of one wall and part of the plant's roof, said an Inspector
of the Pueblo Fire Department.
A representative for Air Products, 250 William White Blvd., said the huge
tank, which contained 250 gallons of nitric acid, had become overpressurized,
causing the blast. A yellowish haze could be seen in the area following
the explosion. Exposure to nitric acid can cause various health problems,
including breathing difficulties and eye damage.
Everyone at Air Products at the time of the explosion was taken to the
B.F. Goodrich plant to be checked for injuries and signs of nitric acid
exposure. One employee was taken to Parkview Medical Center, but the person's
injuries appeared to be minor.
Rural and city fire departments, the Pueblo Police Department, the Pueblo
County Sheriff's Office, the Colorado State Patrol and hazardous materials
units all responded to the scene, The representative for Air Products
said Hazmat workers still were inspecting the plant Monday evening,"It's
something we go real slow (with)", "it's just the opposite of
a fire situation." He said the explosion was an "isolated incident,"
so no other businesses in the industrial park were evacuated and the Pueblo
Memorial Airport remained open.
The Pueblo City-County Health Department issued a press release Monday
evening stating the surrounding area was safe.
At the National Weather Service office next to the chemical plant, "all
we heard was a boom," a worker said. Staff were directed to stay
indoors until the outside air cleared, the worker said.
Owner of Transit Mix of Pueblo, a half-mile southwest of Air Products,
formerly known as Ashland Chemical, said he and other employees heard
a large explosion and turned. "When we looked around, we saw a big
orange cloud". He also stated that several employees reported smelling
an odor. "Right away the police closed the road and we saw a lot
of ambulances, fire trucks and police cars out there. They let us leave
the plant, they didn't let anyone in".
Baxter Child Care Center, located across U.S. 50 from the plant, evacuated
53 children and staff members as a result of the explosion, according
to the school's director, "we heard a big boom and went around checking
(the center) . My assistant director and I were very concerned . . . Coming
from Ashland, it could have been anything."
An employee of Royal Electrical Services, who was working at the Air Products
when the explosion occurred, said everyone present had been briefed and
told by unspecified officials not to speak to the media until the investigation
into the incident is complete.
U.S. 50 was reopened in both directions about 4:30 p.m. and employees
at the industrial park were allowed to leave the area. Air Products employees
were transported into town on a city bus. The representative for Air Products
said officials will continue their investigation today. It's not known
when Air Products will reopen.
Reported in Miami Herald. |
