ST. CHARLES, MINN. (AP) - An ammonia tank burst inside a burning meat processing plant in this southeastern Minnesota city Friday night, hours after authorities evacuated the town of about 3,600 as a precaution, police said.
Police Chief Bill Eckles said he was notified at about 8 p.m. by the command center at the plant that one of the anhydrous ammonia tanks at North Star Foods had burst, and that a low-hanging vapor cloud might be visible.
The police chief said he had no immediate information on the extent of the leak, or whether it posed a threat to firefighters at the scene or anyone else.
The chemical, used as a refrigerant, can cause severe burns, particularly to the eyes, throat and lungs.
City Administrator Nick Koverman said there were about 30,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia in five tanks in the plant.
Earlier Friday, civil defense sirens blared to warn residents to get out and officials went door-to-door ordering residents to head toward Lewiston, about 10 miles to the east, because of the fire. Sheriff’s deputies started evacuating people and pets about 3:30 p.m., and evacuation centers were set up for displaced residents.
The cause of the fire wasn’t immediately known, Koverman said, and it wasn’t clear when residents would be allowed to return.
A hazardous materials team from Rochester was summoned as smoke poured from the sprawling building. Firefighters from surrounding cities converged to help fight the blaze. Police Chief William Eckles said earlier that a few firefighters suffered some smoke inhalation, but there were no immediate reports of serious injuries.
Winona County Sheriff Dave Brand said there would be no public access to St. Charles. Both major highways through the city were closed.
Smoke from the fire could be seen 10 miles away by late morning, and by late afternoon three tornado-like clouds of gray smoke were visible from five miles away.
North Star Foods plant manager Mark Eads said the fire started late Friday morning above one of the ovens where chickens are cooked.
“Within two to three minutes, there was smoke coming out of the room pretty heavy,” Eads said.
Carolyn Nicklay, who works in human resources for the company, said she called 911 and firefighters quickly arrived.
“Everybody’s out. Everybody’s OK. That’s all that matters,” she said.
North Star Foods is the second-largest employer in St. Charles with about 150 workers. Their futures were on the minds of some residents even as the fire burned.
“They might all lose their jobs,” Amber Kesler, a customer at the Good Sport Bar and Grill, said before the evacuation was ordered. “And the way the economy is going, you don’t want to lose your job.”
North Star Foods Inc. has been in business since 1971, according to its Web site. Its processes chicken, turkey, beef, pork and other food products.
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