JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Explosions and fires at a chemical plant Wednesday killed four people, injured at least 14 and sent debris flying several stories into the air, fire officials and witnesses said.
It was not clear what caused the explosions about 1:30 p.m. at the T2 Laboratories Inc. plant, which makes chemical solvents and fuel additives, said Tom Francis, a fire-rescue spokesman.
The chemicals at the plant made the environment “incredibly dangerous for the first responders,” Francis said. “Explosions were generating all kinds of side brush fires and other kinds of blazes.”
Everyone at the plant was accounted for by Wednesday evening. Hospitals reported one patient in critical condition, three fair and five good. Conditions for the rest were unknown, or it wasn’t clear where they were being treated.
An emergency number listed on the company’s website was answered by a woman who said she was an owner’s friend. She said the only details she had were from media reports and then hung up.
Investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board were expected to arrive at the site this morning.
