Fire at Texas chemical plant forces hundreds to evacuate

October 4, 2011

DALLAS -- A large fire at a chemical plant in Waxahachie, Texas, forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents in the city, KGMI.com reported.

The fire broke out at the Magnablend Inc. plant at about 11 a.m. and spread quickly. According to Waxahachie Fire Chief David Hudgins, the fire was about 80 percent contained by around 2 p.m.

Firefighters and emergency workers from nearby areas, including Dallas, were brought in to help fight the blaze, which was started by a chemical reaction that quickly spread through the building.

“There was so much black smoke and the flames were shooting into the air. It was really scary,” Waxahachie resident Patricia Kelsey said. “I could see it out my back door.”