The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office and several fire departments were called to a hazmat situation Thursday morning.UPDATE at 5:03 p.m.:Celanese has the following update to today’s earlier statement.”As an update to the Celanese rail car activity from earlier today, Celanese continues to take actions that are consistent with our safety protocols. As of this afternoon, those protocols will include the use of a flare to vent the rail car. The flare is a standard procedure and is not harmful to the community or to our employees. We have continued to work with local county emergency response teams today to support us as we address the rail car activity. There remains no imminent safety concerns for employees or the local community. We are appreciative of the county’s support and the support of local response teams for their assistance.” UPDATE at 4:50 p.m.:From Spartanburg Communications Manager:”I can confirm that residents in the area are allowed to return to their homes, and at this time, we are not aware of any residences that are inaccessible due to the road closure. If there was a situation on scene where someone was unable to return home, it may have been due to temporary safety measures or a misunderstanding, but that is not the current directive. “Just to reiterate, there is no known threat to the public at this time. Our crews remain on scene in a support role, and all actions taken have been precautionary to ensure continued safety.”UPDATE at 3:50 p.m.:From Spartanburg Communications Manager:”As of now, there have been no updates or changes to the official statement shared earlier today.”There has been no evacuation order issued, and residents are free to return home from work, school, or other activities.”Highway 221 will remain closed until further notice to ensure the safety of emergency responders.”The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office and several fire departments were called to a hazmat situation Thursday morning. (Video above from the scene) The situation happened at the Celanese facility on Highway 221.The company produces VAM (vinyl acetate monomer), which is uses include paints and coatings, adhesives, building and construction, paper coatings, textile finishes, films and other industrial and consumer applications.Celanese provided the following statement: “Celanese is actively monitoring and managing conditions at our Enoree facility. There has been no incident, and there are no injuries or impacts to personnel or to the local environment.”A rail car exhibiting abnormal activity was identified and, out of an abundance of caution, local officials were contacted to assist in safely addressing the situation. At this time, there is no risk to employees or the surrounding community as we continue to manage the issue.”Highway 221 is closed from Mount Shoals Road to Kilgore Bridge Road.The South Carolina Highway Patrol said that the situation involved ethylene. Ethylene is a colorless, flammable hydrocarbon gas with a faint sweet odor, acting as both the world’s most produced organic chemical and a natural plant hormone. Industrially, it is crucial for making plastics like polyethylene. Naturally, it acts as a hormone that triggers ripening in fruits and vegetables.It’s highly flammable and can cause dizziness and drowsiness.
SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. —
The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office and several fire departments were called to a hazmat situation Thursday morning.
UPDATE at 5:03 p.m.:
Celanese has the following update to today’s earlier statement.
“As an update to the Celanese rail car activity from earlier today, Celanese continues to take actions that are consistent with our safety protocols. As of this afternoon, those protocols will include the use of a flare to vent the rail car. The flare is a standard procedure and is not harmful to the community or to our employees. We have continued to work with local county emergency response teams today to support us as we address the rail car activity. There remains no imminent safety concerns for employees or the local community. We are appreciative of the county’s support and the support of local response teams for their assistance.”
UPDATE at 4:50 p.m.:
From Spartanburg Communications Manager:
“I can confirm that residents in the area are allowed to return to their homes, and at this time, we are not aware of any residences that are inaccessible due to the road closure. If there was a situation on scene where someone was unable to return home, it may have been due to temporary safety measures or a misunderstanding, but that is not the current directive.
“Just to reiterate, there is no known threat to the public at this time. Our crews remain on scene in a support role, and all actions taken have been precautionary to ensure continued safety.”
UPDATE at 3:50 p.m.:
From Spartanburg Communications Manager:
“As of now, there have been no updates or changes to the official statement shared earlier today.
“There has been no evacuation order issued, and residents are free to return home from work, school, or other activities.
“Highway 221 will remain closed until further notice to ensure the safety of emergency responders.”
The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office and several fire departments were called to a hazmat situation Thursday morning.
(Video above from the scene)
The situation happened at the Celanese facility on Highway 221.
The company produces VAM (vinyl acetate monomer), which is uses include paints and coatings, adhesives, building and construction, paper coatings, textile finishes, films and other industrial and consumer applications.
Celanese provided the following statement:
“Celanese is actively monitoring and managing conditions at our Enoree facility. There has been no incident, and there are no injuries or impacts to personnel or to the local environment.
“A rail car exhibiting abnormal activity was identified and, out of an abundance of caution, local officials were contacted to assist in safely addressing the situation. At this time, there is no risk to employees or the surrounding community as we continue to manage the issue.”
Highway 221 is closed from Mount Shoals Road to Kilgore Bridge Road.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol said that the situation involved ethylene.
Ethylene is a colorless, flammable hydrocarbon gas with a faint sweet odor, acting as both the world’s most produced organic chemical and a natural plant hormone. Industrially, it is crucial for making plastics like polyethylene. Naturally, it acts as a hormone that triggers ripening in fruits and vegetables.
It’s highly flammable and can cause dizziness and drowsiness.
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