More than fourteen stations called to Washington County chemical fire
No report on injuries or what sparked fire
UPDATED 11:23 AM EDT Jul 10, 2016
More than fourteen stations responded to a chemical fire in Washington County Saturday afternoon.WTAE
SPEERS BOROUGH, Pa. —Authorities say a fire caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to a chemical plant, but no injuries were reported.
Fourteen fire departments responded shortly before 1:30 p.m. Friday to the blaze at National Polymers Inc. off Interstate 70 near the Monongahela River in Washington County.
The blaze had already been contained by the building's automatic sprinkler system and prevented the flames from reaching chemicals stored in the plant. Fire crews had the flames out in less than an hour but remained for two more hours venting smoke and making sure the area was clear.
Chief Robert Whiten Jr., of the Charleroi Fire Department, said the blaze appeared to have been accidental but the exact cause wasn't immediately clear.
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Washington County chemical fire at National Polymer causes $200,000 damage
By Jacob Tierney | Saturday, July 9, 2016, 5:18 p.m.
A fire Saturday at a Washington County chemical plant caused about $200,000 in damage, fire officials say.
The chemical fire at National Polymer in Speers drew 14 fire departments.
There were no injuries, but between the fire and the harmful chemicals involved, the incident caused an estimated $200,000 in damage to the building and firefighters' equipment, according to Charleroi Fire Chief Robert Whiten Jr.
The fire call came in at 1:21 p.m., Whiten said.
By the time firefighters got there, the building's automatic sprinkler system had already activated, containing the blaze. It took firefighters about 30 minutes to extinguish the fire, but they stayed at the scene until almost 4 p.m. venting smoke and making sure the area was clear.
Whiten said he did not know exactly what caused the fire, but it has been ruled an accident.
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Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter More than 12 fire companies responded to a fire at National Polymers Inc. in Speers Industrial Park Saturday afternoon.
A fire broke out Saturday afternoon inside the National Polymers plant in Speers Industrial Park, but was brought under control before reaching chemicals that were stored there. No injuries were reported.
The blaze began about 1:30 p.m. and was contained within 30 to 45 minutes, according to Charleroi fire Chief Bob Whiten Jr. He said damage was confined to a small area inside the plant on Guttman Avenue, and attributed that to efficient operation of the sprinklers.
“The sprinkler system kept everything intact.”
Whiten said the fire was not suspicious – “it appears to be accident.” The plant is off Interstate 70 near the Monongahela River.
The facility is headquarters for National Polymers Inc., a private label manufacturer of concrete restoration, protective flooring and roofing products for industrial and commercial applications. It is a global company.
Although he estimated the cost of the damage at about $300,000, the fire could have been much worse Whiten said.
“It’s a Sara facility, with chemicals,” he said. “There is an imminent danger. You can have the smallest fire and there will be fumes, which can cause problems.”
Washington County Hazardous Materials Response Team responded along with 12 fire companies. The firefighting units were from Belle Vernon, Bentleyville, Charleroi, Fallowfield, Lock No. 4, Monessen No.1, New Eagle, North Belle Vernon, Rostraver Central, Stockdale and Valley Inn. Greensburg was in enroute, but was canceled and Roscoe was on standby.
Mon Valley Emergency Medical responded as well.