Firefighters Battle Blaze at Chemical Plant in Pennsylvania

By The Associated Press
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
June 8, 2015Updated: June 8, 2015

CONEWAGO, Pa.—Firefighters are battling a blaze at a chemical plant in Pennsylvania but say smoke from the fire is not considered toxic.

The fire started at around 3:30 a.m. Monday at Miller Chemical and Fertilizer in Conewago, Adams County. It continued to smolder hours later. Firefighters say they’re letting the fire burn out.

Residents within a mile have been asked to shelter in place. Businesses have been asked to close.

People at the scene reported a nasty smell and burning eyes. Officials are monitoring air quality.

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A fire chief says homes would have been evacuated if winds had shifted and pushed smoke their way.

Officials initially described the fire as a “major hazmat incident.” Several containers could be heard exploding.

Miller Chemical says it manufactures nonhazardous crop protection and nutritional agrochemicals.

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