Mar 29, 2008 11:52 pm US/Eastern
Air Near Mt. Vernon Chemical Fire Site Clear
Some Businesses Near Site Allowed To Re-Open
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (CBS) ―
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Health officials found no air contamination following this blaze at a chemical plant in Mount Vernon.
CBS
Tests show the air is clear around the site of Friday night's raging fire at a Mount Vernon chemical plant. Fear of dangerous toxins forced firefighters to evacuate several businesses, and now investigators are trying to find out what sparked the fire.
It was a frightening scene; flames were shooting from all sides of the Kem chemical warehouse on South Fulton Avenue.
Inside the burning building, large amounts of dangerous chemicals including sulfuric, hydrochloric, and nitric acids as well as alcohol and acetone.
The heat from the fire was so intense, firefighters were on the scene more than 10 hours later, putting out hot spots.
Environmental health experts from Westchester County spent much of the night testing the air quality at the site and in the surrounding neighborhoods.
"The air quality was sampled through the night," said Fire Chief Peter McDonald. "Various samples and various parts."
The results: no signs of dangerous toxins.
That's good news for residents who were told to stay inside with their windows locked while the warehouse burned.
Several businesses were also evacuated, including 25 workers at the Capri wedding album company who were not allowed to go to work Saturday morning.
"They won't let us in," Michael Hernandez told CBS 2. "I have bills to pay."
Added Marvin Goldowsky, "I don't see anything. I've been a volunteer fireman for 45, 44 years, I know what goes on, I know the procedures so I can't make too much of a stink."
Saturday afternoon, some businesses were allowed to re-open, but those located down wind from the fire scene will have to stay closed for the rest of the weekend.
Clean up efforts at the site will continue for days and what's left of the warehouse will eventually have to be torn down.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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