Explosion at Iowa chemical factory |
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Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:58
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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - An explosion and fire Monday at a chemical plant northeast of Des Moines sent plumes of thick smoke into the sky and forced officials to close two interstate freeways.There was no immediate word on whether anyone was injured.Flames and clouds of black smoke soared above the Barton Solvents plant, and exploding barrels could be seen jetting into the sky.Police closed Interstates 80 and 235 near the fire.'There is thick smoke and they are concerned drivers can't see,' said Dena Grey-Fisher, a spokeswoman for the Iowa Department of Transportation. 'There's also toxic fumes associated with chemicals and they are going to do some testing of the area.'The smoke could be clearly seen from five miles away in downtown Des Moines.Barton Solvents Inc. is a wholesale distributor of industrial chemicals, oils and surfactants under the Barsol trade name. The Des Moines-based company has distribution facilities in Iowa, Kansas, and Wisconsin.An explosion at a Barton Solvents plant in Valley Center, Kan., in July prompted widespread evacuations in the community of about 6,000 people north of Wichita. Investigators have said it was caused by static electricity as workers filled a tank that contained a dry-cleaning product.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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