Police have lifted a shelter-in-place order for people living within a two-mile radius of the Koch Foods plant in Fairfield, after first responders worked throughout the morning to contain a large fire and toxic gas leak at the facility.Officials say that the fire started around 1 a.m. on Sunday at the plant, which is located at 4100 Port Union Road. The Greater Cincinnati Hazardous Materials Unit was later deployed at 3:30 a.m., with the local shelter-in-place order issued around 4 a.m. Fairfield police later announced that the order had been lifted just after 7:40 a.m.Fire officials say that this was a 3-alarm fire, with more than 100 firefighters responding to the scene.On scene, officials said that three people had sustained injuries, with two that were serious enough to be taken to the hospital. Fire officials said that they believed that both had since been discharged. In an update posted later in the morning, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office said that the two had suffered burn injuries during the fire.One person reportedly remains unaccounted for, although officials have so far not provided an update about that person.Complicating firefighting efforts, an ammonia gas leak also broke out during the incident, which prompted the shelter-in-place order and hazmat response, however it is not clear if the leak was the cause of the fire or happened as a result of fire damage to the facility. Ammonia is a toxic gas that is commonly used as a refrigerant, according to the EPA.Officials say the roof of the building collapsed during the fire. Crews remained on scene throughout the morning.Air quality is being monitored, but officials say there is no danger to the public, with the source of the ammonia having been shut off.Hazmat teams are continuing to monitor for any changes to the situation on the ground. This is a developing story and will be updated as WLWT learns more. Check back for updates.
FAIRFIELD, Ohio —
Police have lifted a shelter-in-place order for people living within a two-mile radius of the Koch Foods plant in Fairfield, after first responders worked throughout the morning to contain a large fire and toxic gas leak at the facility.
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Fairfield police had ordered people within this two-mile radius of the Koch Foods plant to shelter in place.
Officials say that the fire started around 1 a.m. on Sunday at the plant, which is located at 4100 Port Union Road. The Greater Cincinnati Hazardous Materials Unit was later deployed at 3:30 a.m., with the local shelter-in-place order issued around 4 a.m. Fairfield police later announced that the order had been lifted just after 7:40 a.m.
Fire officials say that this was a 3-alarm fire, with more than 100 firefighters responding to the scene.
On scene, officials said that three people had sustained injuries, with two that were serious enough to be taken to the hospital. Fire officials said that they believed that both had since been discharged. In an update posted later in the morning, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office said that the two had suffered burn injuries during the fire.
One person reportedly remains unaccounted for, although officials have so far not provided an update about that person.
Complicating firefighting efforts, an ammonia gas leak also broke out during the incident, which prompted the shelter-in-place order and hazmat response, however it is not clear if the leak was the cause of the fire or happened as a result of fire damage to the facility. Ammonia is a toxic gas that is commonly used for refrigerants, according to the EPA.
Officials say the roof of the building collapsed during the fire. Crews remained on scene throughout the morning.
Air quality is being monitored, but officials say there is no danger to the public, with the source of the ammonia having been shut off.
Hazmat teams are continuing to monitor for any changes to the situation on the ground.
This is a developing story and will be updated as WLWT learns more. Check back for updates.