West Virginia residents sheltered-in-place after explosion at chemical plant
BELLE, W. Va. - Residents in a section of Belle, W. Va., were told to shelter in place late Tuesday after a “chemical incident” at a local chemical plant, Reuters reported.
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The Chemours Company said in a email that there was a fire at one of the tenant companies at their site in Belle, W.Va. The Kanawha County Commission said in a press release that the explosion occurred at the plant at 10:02 p.m.
Jennifer Herrald, the county commissioner, told Fox News that the situation is being evaluated but it is currently considered unsafe for anyone in a 2-mile radius of the plant to leave their homes.
The West Virginia Emergency Management said the 2-mile radius includes “everyone between Chelyan Bridge and Burning Springs and includes all of Belle, Marmet, Chesapeake and Chelyan.”
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Images that were posted on social media showed smoke billowing out of the plant.
"Stay in your home," Harrald said.
Around 3 a.m., the Kanawha County Commission, in a news release, wrote that the shelter-in-place order had been lifted.
"Emergency Responders have evaluated the scene and have determined that an all-clear can be issued for the incident," the release said.
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Meanwhile, the Chemours Company told Fox News that responders worked to contain the fire -- which is under control.
Fox News' David Aaro contributed to this report