Firefighters extinguish chemical fire

Robert Garner, senior vice president of environmental affairs for plant owner Chemcentral Corp., said an environmental team was ready to begin its investigation in tandem with the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Evacuation orders remained in effect Thursday for people within a half-mile of the site.

On Wednesday, two workers at the plant were injured when 55-gallon drums ignited, producing fireballs.

Firefighters were finally able to approach the site Wednesday night and use flame-suppressing foam, and the last of the hot spots were being doused Thursday morning when another explosion occurred, Battalion Chief Joe Vitale said.

Some workers at businesses in the evacuation area who had returned Thursday left again after the new explosion. No new injuries were reported.

Fire Chief Richard Dyer said it appeared that a chemical was released and ignited, which set off additional explosions.

The chemical may have been polybutene, which is used in a variety of products, including liners for cereal boxes, Garner said.

“It’s a product that we’ve handled for 30 years, always very carefully, safely,” Garner said. “Employees were following the procedures and precautions.”