First responders are at the scene of a pharmaceutical business in Rockland County after a fire and reported chemical explosion Wednesday morning.
Chemical explosion reported at pharmaceutical facility
Heavy smoke was reported at about 7:56 a.m. Wednesday, June 24, at 125 Wells Ave. in Congers, the location of Vitane Pharmaceuticals, according to Clarkstown Police.
Congers Fire Department, Nyack Police, Rockland County Technical Rescue Team, Westchester County Hazardous Materials Response Team, Congers-Valley Cottage Ambulance Corps and Westchester County Department of Emergency Services all responded to the scene to help control the fire and assess hazmat risks.
Approximately 40 minutes after first responders arrived at the scene, a chemical explosion was reported inside the building at about 9:15 a.m.
“It happened rapidly,” said Norman Peters, public information officer from the Clarkstown Police Department. “Smoke emanated from the building. There was no fire department personnel inside the building.”
Following the reported explosion, all first responders were ordered to evacuate the building. One firefighter was treated for minor injuries, but no other injuries have been reported.
Fire under control, hazmat remains on scene
Clarkstown Police said the fire was under control by 11:30 a.m., but hazmat officials remained on the scene to assess the cause of the fire and the health risks posed in the area to residents, including possible toxic chemical leaks.
Peters said firefighters were “dumping water” on the fire for nearly an hour before it was fully knocked down.
The official cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
Residents urged to avoid area
The Clarkstown Police Department issued an evacuation order around 9:30 a.m. and urged residents to avoid the area around Wells Avenue and Brenner Drive because of the hazardous materials situation.
Clarkstown Police said the evacuation zone includes all homes and businesses from Wells Avenue south to Lake Road, and Route 303 west to N. Harrison Avenue.
Two hundred homes and 12 businesses have been evacuated, according to Clarkstown Police.
As of 11:45 a.m., the evacuation order is still in place for residents as hazmat officials assess the safety of the area.
Temporary shelter available
Residents who need a place to stay can go to the Congers Community Center on Congers Road, according to police.
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This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Chemical explosion, fire reported at Rockland County pharmaceutical facility
Reporting by Alexandra Rivera, New York Connect Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alexandra Rivera, New York Connect Team | USA TODAY Network
