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OT FRUITS OF THE BUSH ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY: Detroit chemical plant explosion
[url]http://www.freep.com/news/statewire/sw119667_20050810.htm[/url]
Does OSHA still exist, or did Bush defund that as well?
August 10, 2005, 2:27 PM
ROMULUS, Mich. (AP) -- Flames and smoke continued to be seen at a
suburban Detroit chemical plant Wednesday, a day after a series of
explosions rocked the facility, causing a fire that prompted hundreds
of residents to evacuate their homes.
Authorities said no serious injuries were reported from the fire that
broke out Tuesday night at the E.Q. Resource Recovery Inc. plant in
Romulus.
By Wednesday afternoon, 32 people -- including some firefighters -- had
been to Oakwood Healthcare System's hospitals in Wayne and Dearborn,
where most complained of a burning sensation in their mouths or
difficulty breathing, hospital spokesman Tom Worobec said.
At least 29 of the patients were treated and released, he said.
Witnesses described a series of loud explosions at the plant that shook
the ground and shot flames and smoke high into the air. The company
that owns the plant specializes in treating, recycling and disposing of
hazardous material, such as airplane deicing fluid and industrial paint
solvents.
Romulus Mayor Alan R. Lambert said one tank exploded then set off
explosions in others at the plant. He said air quality was one of the
primary concerns and that the intensity of the fire and uncertainty
about the chemicals kept firefighting crews from initially getting too
close to the flames.
By dawn, the fire's intensity had subsided. Dan Gilbert, a plant
spokesman, said one of the facility's two tank farms had been mostly
destroyed, but other areas were untouched. Those include the plant's
wastewater treatment facility and an area where 55-gallon drums of
chemicals are kept.
Gilbert said eight employees were working at the plant just before the
explosion and were evacuated after an emergency horn sounded. All of
them were accounted for and none of them requested medical treatment,
he said.
"They really couldn't tell us anything real concrete that would tell us
what caused this," Gilbert said. "As soon as the situation stabilizes,
we're going to start an investigation."
Firefighters were not able to determine a cause or what was burning
because they were not able to get close enough due to the multiple
explosions, said John Zech, the city manager in nearby Wayne. He said
Wednesday that people in the evacuation area had the option to return
to their homes, but fire officials advised them to stay away.
"The situation at the site is still unstable, so we do not have the
all-clear sign as of yet," Zech said.
The fire caused eight metal tanks containing acetone, a chemical used
to clean machinery, to melt to half their original size.
Hazardous materials officials had tested the air quality and found no
danger present, Romulus Public Safety Director Chief Charles Kirby
said. But workers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency were
conducting more tests Wednesday.
Wayne Mayor Al Haidous declared a state of emergency at about 10:10
p.m. Tuesday. He said winds were blowing the fumes and smoke from the
plant northeast into his city.
The area included in the evacuation included about 1,000 homes in Wayne
and another 150 in Romulus, but it was unclear how many people chose to
leave, officials said.
Romulus is located about 25 miles southwest of Detroit and is home to
Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Mike Conway, a spokesman for the airport,
said flights weren't affected by the fire.
Copyright © 2005 Detroit Free Press Inc.
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