UPDATE 12/9/20 @ 11:01 a.m. KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - West Virginia American Water says customers are not impacted by the chemical plant explosion. Four . John was the sole bread winner for his family.. There was a shelter in place for a two-mile radius late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, according to dispatchers. The order was lifted around 2:30 a.m. Heres why each season begins twice. We are actively monitoring the situation, the release said. That includes Carver Career Center, Riverside High School, DuPont Middle, East Bank Middle, Cedar Grove middle and elementary, plus local elementary schools Belle, Chesapeake, Malden, Marmet, Mary Ingles, Midland Trail, Pratt and Sharon Dawes. For all the industrial incidents and accidents, residents say not much in their state seems to change. Built in 1929 to produce Rayon, today Spruance is the largest DuPont manufacturing facility in the world. Two of the people transported were from inside the plant. "To those of us in the chemical industry, safety is number one," he said. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. The shelter in place was lifted about 2:30 Wednesday morning. Weve contacted the state and the Governors Office for assistance, Carper said. A West Virginia chemical facility erupted into flames after an explosion Tuesday night, killing one person and leading to a 2-mile shelter in place order for area residents before the fire was. Correction: A previous version of this story misidentified the chemical plant where the explosion took place. The other two were evaluated at a hospital and have been released. Last week's spill is believed to be West Virginia's first chemical accident involving contamination of a large municipal system, and Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has warned out-of-town media against misattributing blame. "Welcome to our world," says Vivian Stockman, 52, a longtime resident of rural Roane County, north of Charleston, the state capital, and an activist with the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition. Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper said three people were transported to the hospital, while a fourth person took himself to seek treatment. Shelter in place up within two miles of Belle. Road closures, shelter-in-place in effect after chemical plant explosion in Kanawha Valley, Go Fund Me started for Rockingham County deputy in need of emergency heart surgery, High School Basketball Scoreboard: State Quarterfinals, JMU womens basketball moves past Marshall 62-43, advances to Sun Belt semifinal, COVID was a huge boom for us; Shenandoah National Park official talks about how they are moving forward, Charlie Obaugh RV & Outdoor Student Athlete of the Week. It is heartbreaking to lose a fellow West Virginian, especially so close to the holidays. One was a driver who was injured by debris from the explosion that struck their vehicle. The explosion at a chemical facility in Belle erupted just after 10 p.m. Tuesday and prompted a warning to shelter-in-place for two miles around it. The agreement includes a payment in lieu of taxes, in which Torch Clean Energy agreed to make significant yearly payments based on the number of megawatts generated. We encourage those who would like to show support for Tina and the family during this time to donate by contacting any local branch referencing the benefit account for John Gillenwater.. It is unclear whether the explosion involved any chemicals at the plant, formerly known as the. The company that owns the plant later said the fire at the site was under control. There are about 200 employees at the Belle location. Explosion at the DeRidder Pulp and Paper Mill. People who lived in the area reported their houses shook. We are in Marmet side of river pic.twitter.com/ICvzeRYDwc. The Project will be a beacon for leading companies that are seeking to purchase clean energy and open operations in Berkeley County and West Virginia.. For nearly a century, Chemical Valley was home to the largest concentration of chemical plants in the United States, according to a 2004 history by Nathan Cantrell, published by the West Virginia Historical Society. BELLE, W.Va. An explosion at a West Virginia chemical plant on Wednesday night prompted authorities to order residents within 2 miles of the plant to remain indoors. Residents who lived within a two-mile radius of the Chemours plant in Belle, West Virginia, were ordered to shelter in place following a "chemical incident and explosion," Kanawha County officials said. I urge all those in and near Belle to stay tuned to local media & follow instructions from local officials.. Explosion at the Chemours Plant. One of Earth's loneliest volcanoes holds an extraordinary secret. Two years ago, Monsanto agreed to pay $93 million for medical monitoring of some 5,000 Nitro factory workers who alleged in a class action suit that their town had been contaminated with dioxin, a toxic byproduct of Agent Orange production that is linked to cancer. The explosion was reported around 10 p.m. Tuesday. The DuPont Spruance manufacturing site sits along the James River in Richmond, Virginia. The toxic wastewater produced in the cleansing process, known as coal slurry, is either injected into the grounda moratorium bans that for now, says Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition's Stockmanor is stored in impoundment ponds, or sludge "lakes" behind earthen dams. Chemours released the following statement: An incident at one of the tenant companies at the Chemours site in Belle, West Virginia has resulted in a fire. Early Wednesday morning, the Kanawha County Commission said the order had been lifted. Two years after the Bhopal disaster, Union Carbide sold its factory. The plant is along the Kanawha River in eastern Kanawha County.Belle, with a population of around 1,100, is southeast of Charleston. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Site responders are working to contain the fire. KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The name of the person who was killed in an explosion at Optima Chemicals Company in Belle, West Virginia Tuesday evening has been released. Firetrucks responding to plant. "We've had at least one very serious explosion and a working fire at the plant," Carper told the news station. "We lost a law enforcement officer and they laid her to rest, our community was already hurting over that event, and then to end the day with an explosion at a chemical plant when our first responders were already grieving and exhausted from dealing with a funeral - it was a hard situation to go through this evening," she said. ET, WCHS reported. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. MARTINSBURG, W.Va. The site of the former DuPont Potomac River Works explosives manufacturing facility in Berkeley County will be the future home of a $100 million solar electricity production facility. 10:28 PM EST, Wed December 9, 2020. It's the former DuPont chemical plant. KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) New details are being released about an explosion at the Chemours plant along W. Dupont Ave. in Belle overnight. His family is "devastated over the loss of their husband, father and friend," according to NBC affiliate WSAZ of Huntington. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time. He told TV stations, right now we feel like everything is in pretty good shape.". It happened Tuesday night at the Chemours property site in Belle. Emergency crews are on the scene of an explosion and fire at the Optima Chemical Plant on West Dupont Ave. in Belle. Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper said three people were transported to the hospital, while a fourth person took himself to seek treatment. Maya Nye, who grew up in St. Albans, across the Kanawha River from Nitro, is working to improve federal oversight of the coal and chemical industries in her region. We are actively monitoring the situation, the release said. The safety board returned to West Virginia in 2010, after an accidental release of toxic gas at the DuPont plant in Belle killed one worker there, and again urged new safety oversight. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) Authorities say an explosion and fire at a West Virginia chemical plant that shook surrounding homes killed one person while injuring three others. Its plant in Belle is located about 15 minutes south of Charleston. Our focus at this time is the safety of our employees and others who are employed on the site, the community members and our first responders.. Early Wednesday morning, the. A National Geographic team has made the first ascent of the remote Mount Michael, looking for a lava lake in the volcanos crater. The area is the location of theformer DuPont chemical plant. Scanner audio of the initial dispatch of last Tuesday night's explosion at Optima Chemical in Belle, West Virginia at the former DuPont Chemical plant. A fire was extinguished about two hours after the blast was first reported, with local emergency responders reporting that the scene had been stabilized. Stay up to date with what you want to know. There are reports of injuries but no specific details. KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) West Virginia American Water says customers are not impacted by the chemical plant explosion. An explosion that injured four people at a West Virginia chemical plant and shook surrounding homes prompted authorities to impose a shelter-in-place order. !Fire, explosion at West Virginia chemical plant prompt warning for . Other tenants at the Belle site also include Kureha, Optima Chemical Group, and Sentinel Transportation. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Optima is cooperating fully with local, state, and federal officials on continuing investigation of this incident, the release said. Which travel companies promote harmful wildlife activities? Tina and her children are surrounded by family and friends in this great time of need. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time. Not in this state.". It directed questions to another company that did not immediately return a voice message.Aerial video posted to social media captured images of the fire burning.The shelter-in-place remained in effect early Wednesday. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Four injuries were reported, and area schools were closing Wednesday as a precaution. He said they do not believe any chemicals got into the Kanawha River. A West Virginia chemical facility erupted into flames after an explosion Tuesday night, killing one person and leading to a 2-mile shelter in place order for area residents before the fire was under control and the order was lifted, officials said. The explosion took place at the Optima Belle Chemical plant at around 10 p.m. Tuesday, when a 1,200-gallon metal dryer became over-pressurized during a chemical product drying operation, a news. Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper said three people were transported to the hospital, while a fourth person took himself to seek treatment. KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) A shelter-in-place order has been lifted, nearly four and a half hours after an explosion at the Chemours plant along W. Dupont Ave. in Belle. And though some of West Virginia's chemical manufacturers have shifted to Calgary's gas fields and to the oil-rich Gulf Coast in recent years, the discovery of the Marcellus Shalewhich extends throughout much of the eastern United States and is touted as the largest natural gas field in the worldhas raised hopes of a rebirth of Chemical Valley. John was the sole bread winner for his family, and many are asking how they can help. These animals can sniff it out. Maintenance staff were troubleshooting it when the incident took place. SHELTER IN PLACE IS IN EFFECT. All rights reserved. It includes all of Belle, Marmet, Chesapeake and Chelyan. A homeowner in Belle shared this video captured during the explosion: According to Metro 911, the shelter-in-place includes everyone between the Chelyan Bridge to Burning Springs. The plant is along the Kanawha River in eastern Kanawha County. The coal-cleansing chemical that spilled from Freedom Industries' storage tank into the Elk River last Thursday is only the latest insult in what for some has been a lifetime of industrial accidents that have poisoned groundwater, spewed toxic gas emissions, and caused fires, explosions, and other disasters that neither state nor federal regulators have been able to protect against. All Videos; Safety Videos; Safety Messges; . A plan to make mustard gas in the town for battlefields in Europe never materialized. Indeed, people who live in the Kanawha River Valley, which much of the world learned recently is also known as Chemical Valley, have endured a long history of pollution of many kinds. One person was severely injured. The explosion sent large chunks of metal through the air. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today released its final report on a series of three accidents that occurred over a 33-hour period on January 22 and 23, 2010, at the DuPont Corporation's Belle, West Virginia, chemical manufacturing plant -. No additional information on their injuries was released. Can we bring a species back from the brink?, Video Story, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. We have no further details at this time., U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., tweeted, Gayle and I are praying for those at the Chemours plant in Belle & for our brave first responders who are running to the fire tonight. Carper told WCHS that one individual was taken to CAMC General Hospital by ambulance and another individual drove themselves to Montgomery General Hospital. Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Employment | Affiliates Intranet Two of the people transported were from inside the plant. Projectiles from the explosion nearly penetrated an aboveground MIC storage tank, drawing attention from federal investigators concerned that the plant was vulnerable to a Bhopal-like disaster. Even before last week's chemical spill fouled tap water in nine counties in West Virginia, where more than 200,000 people still cannot use their water after seven long days, it was not unusual to find black water running from kitchen faucets in homes outside Charleston. CW Sigman, the Kanawha County Emergency Management Director, tells WSAZ chlorine and methanol were included in the explosion. The incident was reported around 10 p.m. Aaron Spencer captured the following drone footage of fire after the explosion: Dispatchers said there was some type of explosion, but the cause is unknown at this time. The site of the former DuPont Potomac River Works explosives manufacturing facility in Berkeley County will be the future home of a $100 million solar electricity production facility. KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) New details are being released about an explosion at the Optima Chemicals Company along W. Dupont Ave. in Belle overnight. The shelter in place was lifted about 2:30 Wednesday morning. Scientists just confirmed a 30-foot void first detected inside the monument years ago. How did this mountain lion reach an uninhabited island? The outcome could have been much worse if not for all the first responders, said Justice. Carper said at first they believed there was a barge accident, but they soon realized it was an incident at the plant. The Senate bill shrinks the copay cap from $100 to $35. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. The. "But it doesn't ever get any better.". The chemical giant also paid $9 million to clean dioxin-contaminated dust from 4,500 homes, according to the 385-page court order. CHARLESTON An explosion at Optima Chemical's facility on the Chemours Co.'s site in Belle, West Virginia, on Tuesday night killed one of the plant's workers, sent several others to At least two people have been injured after an explosion at a West Virginia chemical plant that prompted authorities to order residents within 3.2 kilometres (two miles) of the plant . The explosion happened after 10 p.m. Tuesday at the Chemours plant in the Kanawha County community of Belle, the county commission said in a statement. The explosion happened about 10 p.m. at an area along the Kanawha River about 10 miles east of Charleston. The complex is a former DuPont chemical plant. Cathy and I are praying for the safety of all involved.. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The number to reach it for non-emergency calls related to the incident is 304-746-8828. 10 December 2020. Manchin visits Milton, discusses new federal funding for floodwall project. A determination about lifting the shelter-in-place will not be made until that assessment is made. "Gayle and I are praying for those at the Chemours plant in Belle & for our brave first responders who are running to the fire tonight," Sen. Joe Manchin, D-WV, tweeted. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Two of the people transported were from inside the plant. Then, in 2008, after the plant was bought by Bayer CropScience, an explosion killed two workers. When drinking water is contaminated in West Virginia, coal-mining operations are usually the culprit. Aerial drone footage of explosion at Chemours plant in Kanawha County (courtesy of Aaron Spencer). Four injured after explosion, fire at W.Va. chemical plant. The explosion, which occurred at 10:02 p.m. on December 8, occurred after a 1,200 gallon metal dryer became over-pressurized while drying a compound used for sanitation. As fire lit up the night sky, the Kanawha County Sheriffs Department and State Police were controlling traffic at the roads around the plant. Kanawha County Commissioner Kent Carper saidtwo people were injured. A homeowner in Belle shared this video captured during the explosion: According to Metro 911, the shelter-in-place includes everyone between the Chelyan Bridge to Burning Springs. 60 has reopened between Campbells Creek and the Chelyan Bridge. Four people have reportedly been injured after an explosion at a chemical plant in West Virginia. It shook peoples houses on both sides of the river., He added, It shook homes and businesses clear over on the Marmet side of the river.. The location was a DuPont facility for many years in an area commonly referred to as the Chemical Valley not far from West Virginias capital. Chemours was founded in July 2015 as a spin-off from DuPont. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. House approves bill named after fallen Charleston police officer. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Thousands without power in West Virginia after strong winds move across the state. Or bathtub enamel eaten away, leaving locals to wonder what the same water was doing to their teeth. As coal is prepared for shipment, it is washed with chemicals, including a cleanser known as crude MCHM, which is at the heart of last week's accident. That river wends through the mountains and empties into the Ohio River on the Ohio-West Virginia border at Point Pleasant. Imagesposted on Twitter showed the fire from across the Kanawha River. A shelter in place order has been issued for residents living within two miles of the plant. The Rush to Green Could Leave Us in the Dark, All Belle Chemical Company employees have been accounted for and safely evacuated from the premises. Road closures, shelter-in-place in effect after chemical plant explosion in Kanawha Valley, Sheriff releases name after body found in Mason County, Wind spreads flames across several properties, Man dies in law enforcement custody; death investigation underway, Herd faithful showing up in Pensacola for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. As fire lit up the night sky, the Kanawha County Sheriff's Department and State Police were controlling traffic at the roads around the plant. UPDATE | Name released of person killed in chemical plant explosion, Aerial drone footage of explosion at Chemours plant in Kanawha County (courtesy of Aaron Spencer). BELLE, W.Va. The shelter-in-place Kanawha County officials ordered after a Tuesday night explosion and chemical incident in Belle was lifted around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. Copyright 2023 West Virginia MetroNews Network. "John was beloved by many in his community and his church," the told the station. Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest information. We have no further details at this time., U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., tweeted, Gayle and I are praying for those at the Chemours plant in Belle & for our brave first responders who are running to the fire tonight. Spruance employs more than 2,000 people, many of which are second and third-generation employees. "The explosion was massive. An aerial view of Catenary Coal Co. mountaintop removal site near Kayford Mountain in West Virginia. The family is devastated over the loss of their husband, father and friend John Gillenwater. This latest update comes hours after Gov. The Associated Press contributed to this report. On December 12, 2020, the Gazette-Mail reported an explosion at a chemical plant in Belle, West Virginia. The explosion involved chlorinated dry bleach and methanol, Kanawha County Commissioner Kent Carper told the local WCHS reporter Whitney Wetzel. Chemours formed as a spinoff from DuPont in 2015. Carper also says it does not appear any chemicals got into the Kanawha River. The Chemical Safety Board dispatched a team to West Virginia this week to investigate how 5,000 gallons of the chemical 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCMH) leaked into the Elk River above Charleston. Still, it was a very hard day, Kanawha County Manager Jennifer Herrald told The Associated Press. The only place in the U.S. where MIC was manufactured and stockpiled was at Union Carbide's plant in Institute, West Virginia, in the heart of Chemical Valley. What if we could clean them out? She's president of People Concerned About Chemical Safety, which pressed West Virginia lawmakers in 2009 to pass legislation modeled on a California industrial safety program that Nye says has minimized industrial accidents there. An explosion Tuesday evening at the Optima Chemicals plant in Belle, West Virginia resulted in the death of one worker and injured three others. CNNs Joe Sutton contributed to this report. An explosion that injured four people at a West Virginia chemical plant and shook surrounding homes prompted authorities to impose a shelter-in-place order. He said they do not believe any chemicals got into the Kanawha River. Explosion at the Chemours Plant. KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - U.S. According to a spokesperson from the family, John Gillenwater was killed. Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper said three people were transported to the hospital, while a fourth person took himself to seek treatment. A chemical incident and explosion at a plant in Belle, West Virginia, resulted in a shelter-in-place order for residents within a two-mile radius on Tuesday. Animation of April 26, 2018, Explosion and Fire at the Husky Energy Refinery in Superior . According to the Kanawha County Commission, the Kanawha County Emergency Operations Center has been activated. Nick Barrickman. Several roads nearby were closed to traffic, according to WOWK. Carper said he hopes the shelter-in-place is lifted soon, but for now it is best to stay put and stay inside their homes for the safety of their families. pic.twitter.com/TtXX20bu6q, Chris Kessell (@THEChrisKessell) December 9, 2020. The explosion occurred near the Chemours plant in Belle just after 10 p.m. In 2011, after a nearly 30-year court battle with residents of Institute, Bayer CropScience dropped plans to resume production of MIC, according to the Associated Press, and announced it would dismantle the production unit. Cathy and I are praying for the safety of all involved," Justice said. I urge all those in and near Belle to stay tuned to local media & follow instructions from local officials.. SHELTER IN PLACE IS IN EFFECT. It left 300,000 people surrounding Charleston unable to even touch tap water and essentially shut down the state's capital city as residents scavenged for bottled water, baby wipes, and frozen TV dinners requiring no water for cooking or cleanup. A mans world? James Mason, whos with KCEAA, said they have their mass causality teams and mass triage teams ready as a precautionary measure. At least 10 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18; more than a dozen missing, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed last month, doctor says, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Bus with 40 children crashes in French Alps, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh trial: What to know about the double murder case. "We just live with it until the next thing happens and then we rehash it all over again," Nye said. "The fire was significant," Carper told local outlet MetroNews. Jim Justice tweeted that he has been briefed and that he and his wife were praying for the safety of everyone involved.Sen. James Mason, whos with KCEAA, said they have their mass causality teams and mass triage teams ready as a precautionary measure. 60 has reopened between Campbells Creek and the Chelyan Bridge. BELLE, WV (WOWK) 12/8/2020 10:45 a.m. Our thoughts and prayers go out to our Belle employees, their families, and members of the surrounding community who have been affected.. Details about the incident . Steam billows from cooling towers at a power plant near the Kanawha River in West Virginia. First published on December 9, 2020 / 6:39 AM. BELLE, W. Va. (KDKA/AP) - A shelter-in-place order has been lifted for hundreds of people following an explosion and fire at the former Dupont Chemical Plant in Belle, West Virginia.. According to the company, no changes have occurred in the finished water quality leaving the companys water treatment plants and no drinking water advisories have been issued. A shelter-in-place is in effect after a chemical plant explosion Tuesday night in the Belle area of Kanawha County, West Virginia. Belle Mayor David Fletcher, who also is a volunteer firefighter, said the blaze was extinguished before midnight. House approves bill named after fallen Charleston police officer. "I urge everyone in the area to follow the Shelter-In-Place Order currently in effect. Patrol Officer Cassie Marie Johnson Memorial Act creates a new criminal charge. Eco-friendly burial alternatives, explained. (WSAZ) - West Virginia American Water says customers are not impacted by the chemical plant explosion. It happened around 10 p.m. Tuesday at the Chemours plant along W. Dupont Ave. in Belle. Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Employment | Affiliates Intranet Three accidents occur over a 33-hour period at the Dupont plant in Belle, WV. All rights reserved. Following the explosion, three people were transported to the hospital and a fourth person took himself to seek treatment. These skeletons may have the answer, Scientists are making advancements in birth controlfor men, Blood cleaning? The explosion occurred near the Chemours plant in Belle just after 10 p.m. Pasco sheriff: 3 people, including a 6-year-old girl, shot in the head during home invasion, Missing child alert canceled for Miami 15-year-old, 10 Weather: Warm weekend, isolated rain chances, Windy conditions ahead of chance of rain this weekend, Police: 4 killed after explosion at UK waste water plant, US charities raise millions in wake of Beirut port blast. "As far as I know, there was no coal company within miles.". Do Not Sell My Personal Information / CBS/AP. (WSAZ) - West Virginia American Water says customers are not impacted by the chemical plant explosion. Officials let the fire continue to burn off until just after midnight when it was extinguished, Justice said. Optima said it is cooperating fully in an investigation, and its thoughts and prayers go out to its employees, their families and the communities affected. As of just before 2 a.m. Wednesday, the commission reported the fire was still burning at the plant. Students should log in to Schoology for eLearning. Gov. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, also tweeted his concern.School closings for Wednesday were announced by the county.Chemours formed as a spinoff from DuPont in 2015. The proposal calls for annual safety audits by public health officials and other chemical safety experts. Site responders are working to contain the fire. Incident Description: On July 28, 2021, MetroNews reported an explosion at a chemical plant in Belle, West Virginia. All we can tell you is if you live in that area shelter in place, Kanawha County Commissioner Kent Carper told MetroNews a few minutes after the explosion was first reported. Manchin visits Milton, discusses new federal funding for floodwall project. It happened around 10 p.m. Tuesday at the Chemours plant along W. Dupont Ave. in Belle. It happened. !Fire, explosion at West Virginia chemical plant prompt warning for neighborsTwo people suffered injuries, a county official said, and the fire at the Chemours plant site was said to be under control. Do Not Sell My Personal Information Four people had confirmed injuries from the incident, Carper said about midnight. Example video title will go here for this video. The Project will repurpose a former explosives manufacturing site, and with approximately $100 million invested will be one of the nations largest brownfield renewable energy projects. It happened around 10 p.m. Tuesday at the Optima Chemicals Company along W. Dupont Ave. in Belle. Appalachian Power and Mon Power report approximately 60,000 customers without service Saturday morning.