INCIDENT
Around 1215 hours EST, a fire broke out at the Atlas Minerals and Chemicals Inc. sulfur plant, spewing black smoke and causing an environmental HAZMAT situation for responding personnel and residents around the structure.
LOCATION
The plant is located at 1227 Valley Road in Longswamp Township, near Topton in Pennsylvania.
A Smoke trail could be seen from as far away as Kutztown.
Photo Credit: David J Reimer Sr – Emergency Services Photography (used with permission)
FIRE RESPONSE
The fire prompted assets from nearby stations in the area and as far away from Topton Fire Company #1 to respond. The IC would eventually escalated this incident to a 2nd-alarm response.
A five-inch hoselay was used during initial fire attack activities. Those who were initially on fire attack were all pulled out of the building and sent to REHAB/Medic evals.
EVACUATIONS
Homes and local businesses were being evacuated that were in the hot zone. Fire officials are asking that those avoid the area, to enable fire apparatus to move around more easily.
Photo Credit: David J Reimer Sr – Emergency Services Photography (used with permission)
OPERATIONS
A fence near the structure was the point used by the Incident Commander that all firefighters were required to wear their SCBA beyond this location.
The fire was brought under control.
Additional air units were dispatched to the scene to help fill bottles.
Firefighters were busy with decon and overhaul operations.
UPDATES
We will provide more details when we receive them.
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(c) 2020 NW Fire Blog – Update #2 2/17/2020 @ 1210 PST
