By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today
Two Cedar City firefighters were injured Thursday afternoon while battling a wildland fire involving hazardous chemicals just west of Airport Road.
The firefighters were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, treated, and released. Although other media outlets reported that a civilian was also injured, Cedar City Fire Chief Mike Phillips said he could not confirm that information.
Meanwhile, crews worked to contain the blaze that started around 1:45 p.m. near the airport on 850 North.
The fire started outside the Insituform factory, raising concerns due to the waste products stored at the site.
“The fire didn’t breach the factory, but the company had waste products outside that posed a serious risk because of the chemicals it would produce,” Phillips said.
The fire, which burned approximately 3.75 acres, came close to several businesses but Phillips confirmed no structures were damaged. Authorities evacuated the area for several hours as a precaution.
“We were concerned about how close the fire was getting to the businesses, but we were able to keep it under control before it burned any of the buildings,” Phillips said.
The fire was fully contained by 5:15 p.m. and evacuees were allowed to return. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
At the same time fire crews were called to the fire they were also responding to two other incidents: a crash at Exit 59 on Interstate 15, where a trailer hauling a forklift flipped, and a severed gas line at 100 West and College Avenue. These simultaneous emergencies stretched department resources thin as they managed all three scenes, Phillips said.
Phillips called for assistance from neighboring communities to help deal with the fire.
“Thanks to our surrounding communities and neighbors we were able to put out the fire and respond to those other calls too,” he said.
1 comment
Joe
Based on the color of the smoke, it looks like chemicals were burning. The main questions that people should be asking: (1) What chemicals were burning? Was it chlorine? (2) If it was chlorine, is the area going to be tested for dioxin exposure? (3) Are the firefighters and local residents aware of the health risks that they were exposed to. Has anyone developed chloracne? (4) Is the community aware of and comfortable with the future risk of dioxin exposure?