Chemical Plant Fire Forces Evacuations, Highway Closure Near Columbus

I live about 1.5 miles SW of this plant, which means the wind (which is solid today) is blowing the fumes away from my house. Good for me, not so good for others. The plant is directly next to the local feed store where I buy Julian's horse food and bedding for the pigs. I will be surprised if they don't sustain damage, possibly significant. I will have my fingers crossed for them, for all those who have been evacuated, and for the local firefighters, three of whom have been hospitalized thus far.
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Chemical Plant Fire Forces Evacuations, Highway Closure Near Columbus Fire Continues To Burn Early Tuesday Morning

UPDATED: 6:39 am CDT May 12, 2009

COLUMBUS, Wis. -- A fire at a chemical plant near Columbus on Monday night forced some nearby residents to be evacuated and the closure of the north and southbound lanes of Highway 151 from Highway 16/60 in Columbia County, north to Highway 73 in Dodge County.

A series of explosions were reported along with the fire, which broke out shortly after 8 p.m. Monday.

The highway was shut down early Tuesday morning due to blowing smoke from the chemical plant fire, authorities said. Travelers on Tuesday morning are being advised to follow the posted detour signs.

The fire at Columbus Chemical Industries started just after 8 p.m. after a series of explosions and continued to burn early Tuesday.

Columbus Chemical Industries has five buildings on its site located on Temkin Road in the Town of Elba in Dodge County. The plant is roughly one mile north of the city of Columbus, near the intersection of Highway 73 North and Highway 151.

Roughly 150 first-responders from several area fire departments were called to help fight the fire. A total of 75 remained at the scene overnight, according to Columbus emergency officials.

At a media briefing just after 1 a.m. Tuesday morning, authorities confirmed three fire fighters were hospitalized with minor injuries. Nearly 150 people in 65 residences complied with voluntary evacuations. Authorities said all lived within a half-mile of the chemical plant.

Columbus schools and other businesses were expected to be open Tuesday morning, authorities said.

Bob Link, the mayor of the city of Columbus, said the mood of the community in the hours after the plant fire was preoccupied.

"It's very solemn. Many people in the community aren't sure of what's going on … I think a lot of people are just trying to sort over what they're going to do, when they'll get back in their homes," said Link.

An emergency shelter was set up at Columbus Senior Center. Link said the community is rallying around each other trying to come grips with the situation.

According to the company Web site, Columbus Chemical Industries manufactures high purity acids and salts, analytical and production solutions for the pharmaceutical, semi-conductor and electronics industries, among others.

"Quite obviously, it was a serious fire. What's most reassuring to me to see is the response from the fire department, (Emergency Operations Coordinator), Dodge and Columbia Counties, and Columbus here and feeling comfortable we have the best of the best on site to help us deal with this, Link said. "Obviously, we have employees and people who left their homes that are very unsure of the future, but right now I think everything's being done to make the community as safe as possible."

Columbus recently appointed a new emergency operations coordinator. Link said Gerald Sallman has been on the job less than two weeks and credits the fact Sallman was checking in with several of the agencies who responded to the fire.

"It's almost unreal, like we're having our first drill in how it came together and how well these departments are working tonight. We're somewhat relieved, believe it or not, regarding how it's working and going thus far," Link said.

Dodge County authorities also used an emergency notification system, or "Reverse 911 System" to call other residents in the Columbus and Beaver Dam areas and tell them to stay inside and keep their windows closed because of smoke from the fire.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.
Copyright 2009 by Channel 3000. The Associated Press contributed to this report.