Crooks may be cause of dangerous leak |
|
|
|
Published
:
Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:49
|
HERNDON, Ky. (AP) - Burglars may have caused the chemical leak that led to the evacuation of an elementary school and residents, and they may have suffered chemical burns, officials say.Anhydrous ammonia leaked from a 30,000-gallon tank that had ruptured Monday at Agri-Chem Inc., an agricultural supply company. The chemical is used as a fertilizer, but it also is an ingredient in methamphetamine.State police and fire officials found that the fence surrounding the tank had been cut, and a valve looked like someone had tampered with it, the company said.'It looks like two people; we found their clothes,' said Agri-Chem President Wayne Hunt. 'They actually left their clothes in the field. They are burned so they'll be in a hospital more than likely around here.'Paramedics administered oxygen to six people in Herndon after the leak, said Christian County emergency operations center director Dee Hopper.Students at the nearby South Christian Elementary school were evacuated and residents of homes within one mile of the western Kentucky plant were told to leave as a precaution, Hopper said. There was no immediate word how many children were involved.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
|
|
|
|
Print this Story
Feds inspecting Exelon nuke station 