Thousands Evacuated After Explosions At Ind. Plant (Indiana)

http://www.nbc4.tv (Los Angeles) ^ | January 14, 2005

[Buddy B]

ANDERSON, Ind. -- A magnesium fire at a recycling plant burned out of control Friday night, spewing wind-driven toxic fumes and forcing the evacuation of several thousand people from their homes.

[bd476]

WNDU-TV: Magnesium Fire Erupts in Southern Indiana

Posted: 01/14/2005 11:41 pm
Last Updated: 01/14/2005 11:42 pm

Anderson, IN - A magnesium recycling plant caught fire Friday evening and continued to burn through the night in Anderson, Indiana.  

An Anderson police spokesman says 5000 residents have evacuated from their homes as toxic fumes blew throughout the area.  

The Madison County fire department says the Amacor plant burst into flames around 5:30 Friday evening.  

Up to 6000 pounds of magnesium burned into the night.  

Several hundred firefighters tried to extinguish the fire, but explosions inside forced them to evacuate the building, which was engulfed.  

Firefighters were then forced to battle the blaze from outside.

However, there were no injuries reported.

[MediaMole]

Magnesium was used in flash bulbs, not current strobe flashes.

One strange fact. The Japanese used a lot of magnesium in their fighter planes. Combined with a lack of armor and self-sealing fuel tanks, Japanese fighters burned like torches.

[nw_arizona_granny]

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[Buddy B]

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