Posted on 02/20/2003 6:56:16 AM PST by RCW2001
Thursday, February 20, 2003
©2003 Associated Press
URL: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/02/20/national0913EST0552.DTL
(02-20) 06:36 PST CORBIN, Ky. (AP) --
An explosion and fire rocked a plastics factory Thursday morning, injuring 18 workers and leaving two others unaccounted-for, authorities said.
The blast at CTA Acoustics happened around 8 a.m., according to Ray Bowman, a spokesman with the state Division of Emergency Management. About 22 people were transported to hospitals, many likely burn victims, he said.
The factory was burning and there was a release of an unknown chemical, he said.
A low-hanging cloud was visible near the plant, and residents south of the plant were evacuating their homes, he said.
Knox, Whitley and Laurel County firefighters were sent to the scene. Corbin is about 80 miles south of Lexington in the southeastern part of the state.
©2003 Associated Press
Unpleasant stuff. It's what California used to use in its gas chamber to execute murderers.
In any hazardous material incident, civilians are urged to monitor radio and TV news broadcasts. NOAA Weather Radio is also a prime source of important information.
If advised to evacuate, move upwind, uphill, and upstream from the spill or leak site. If advised to shelter-in-place, secure all outside air ventilation (such as air conditioners and heaters), secure the water lines going into the building, and use the plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal doors and windows.
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