http://www.click2houston.com/news/20227784/detail.htmlPlant Fire Leads To Evacuations
80,000 People Evacuated
POSTED: Thursday, July 30, 2009
UPDATED: 5:27 pm CDT July 30, 2009
BRYAN, Texas -- Officials evacuated up to 80,000 residents in Brazos County to the north and west of Bryan because of a fire at a chemical plant believed to contain explosive ammonium nitrate.
The fire broke out about noon Thursday at the El Dorado Chemical Co. plant on Highway 21.
Bryan-College Station fire dispatcher Andy Throne said the plume of smoke extended up to 60 miles from the plant.
Throne said no injuries have been reported from the fire, where fertilizer and other chemicals are blended and packaged.
Brazos County 911 district associate director Patrick Corley said a large evacuation was ordered because of concern from a toxic cloud.
"Residents located in Brazos County, north of University Drive in College Station, should evacuate immediately. This covers the entire city of Bryan and the entire northern half of Brazos County, so it's a considerable area," Corley said.
Reed Arena at Texas A&M has been opened as a shelter for those who need a place to go.
Corley said the evacuation affects between 70,000 and 80,000 people.
Residents said roadways were jammed with people trying to get out of the evacuation area.
"Traffic is so bad trying to get out of town, " resident Bob Nixon said. "There's a small smell in the air, but not anything that's real noticeable. But there is like a very light smog-haze where we're at, which is about 4 miles from the fire."
Nixon said a lot of businesses appeared to have closed early to allow employees time to evacuate.
Texas A&M canceled classes for the remainder of Thursday.
"As far as battling the fire, they're letting it burn at this point and trying to evacuate people as far as possible from it," Corley said.
Officials said welding is a possible cause of the plant fire.
The plant is located about three-fourths of a mile west of Bryan.
Looks like we could have some reverse evacuations towards us. Most of the winds across SE TX are from the S so that is why they are asking people to evacuate South. Thankfully no reports of death or injuries. Apparently no explosions either. Ammonium Nitrate is present/burning. That is what was used in OKC and other bombings. NO water being put on fire apparently due to the possibility of other chemicals present that would react with water.
