By: WCTV Eyewitness News By: WCTV Eyewitness News
August 19, 2015
BAINBRIDGE, Ga. --
Crews remain on the scene of a chemical tank explosion and fire in Bainbridge.
Bainbridge Public Safety says the tank exploded at the Liquid Transfer plant on Dickerson St. around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.
One person was killed in the explosion. Authorities say the person worked at the plant and was welding on top of the tank when the explosion occurred.
Authorities say one million-gallon chemical tank was holding sodium hydrosulfide liquid solution.
Authorities at the scene tell WCTV they will have to let the fire burn itself out. They say right now a layer of carbon is burning, but underneath is the harmful chemical.
Everyone within a half mile radius has been evacuated according to Georgia State Patrol, and all elementary schools in Bainbridge and Decatur County are on lockdown as a precaution while the tank burns.
Bainbridge Public Safety is asking the public to stay out of the area until the fire is out of control. WCTV is at the scene and plans continuing coverage
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BAINBRIDGE, GA (WALB) -
Emergency crews ordered evacuations for everyone within a half-mile radius of a chemical explosion at a fertilizer plant.
At least one person was confirmed dead after the explosion, which happened in a large storage tank around 11:15 a.m. Wednesday at Liquid Transfer Chemicals in Bainbridge.
The tank, which contained sodium hydrosulfide liquid solution, is one of many at the plant, near railroad tracks along the Flint River.
“My fingers are crossed that it’s liquid wax,” IDA executive director Rick McCaskill said. “Judging from the black smoke, that’s what it might be.”
McKaskill said that Liquid Transfer works with a lot of agricultural chemicals and liquid wax.
Firefighters said the fire was under control just before 1:00PM. There was no immediate word on any other injuries.
Crews said they were working to keep the surrounding tanks cool as the fire continued to burn.
All Decatur County schools were placed on lockdown as a precaution.
Officials said no harmful gases were reported to be in the air, but said a carbon layer was burning.
Bainbridge Community Affairs Spokesperson Julie Harris said that officials were concerned that if firefighters are not able to put the fire out completely in time, the air quality could become harmful.
Bainbridge Public Safety said in a statement:
An explosion occurred at the liquid transfer terminals at the Fertilizer Plant at 1025 Dickerson Street. All area firefighters have responded to the emergency and Public Safety and the Sheriff's Department are controlling and directing traffic in the surrounding area. PLEASE stay out of the area until the fire is under control.
Smoke from the fire was seen from 15 miles away.