A huge fire broke out at a chemical plant in Pennsylvania early Monday morning. No toxic chemicals were released by the fire, but the building was completely destroyed.
Fire crews were called to Miller Chemical in Conewago Township, Adams County, at approximately 3:40 a.m. in response to a fire alarm.
They attacked the blaze throughout the morning, and then allowed the fire to continue burning under control for several hours. Later in the day, crews extinguished the flames and knocked down remaining exterior walls, The Associated Press reported.
John Eline, director of Emergency Services for Adams County, told Fox 43 that water runoff from firefighting activities posed a potential flood risk, so responders constructed a barrier, creating a retention pool. Vacuum trucks were used to remove this water in case it contained any chemicals from inside the plant.
Residents living within one mile of the facility were advised to stay inside, and businesses within the shelter-in-place order were asked to remain closed.
Officials monitored air quality, but said that the smoke was not considered toxic. Drinking water in the area is also believed to be safe.
No one was inside the building when the fire started and no injuries occurred while fighting the fire. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.
According to its website, Miller Chemical manufactures non-hazardous crop protection adjuvants and nutritional agrochemicals.
