US News
Chemical fire still burning, keeping thousands away (2nd Roundup)
By DPA
Oct 6, 2006, 19:00 GMT

Washington - With fire still burning late Friday at a hazardous waste plant in North Carolina, local officials outside Raleigh were still keeping thousands of people out of their homes for a second night.

Police evacuated 17,000 people from their homes, more than half the population of the town of Apex, late Thursday evening after a series of explosions at a hazardous waste plant spread dangerous fumes of chlorine gas and other chemicals across the town.

The fire could burn through to Saturday morning, officials warned. Firefighters have hesitated to pour water or foam on the fire for fear it could make things worse, since state environmental officials don't know for sure what chemicals are on the ground of the factory, Environmental Quality Co., the Raleigh News & Observer reported online.

The facility was fined by the state in March for six violations of state laws, and warned of a possible catastrophe, the newspaper reported.

The plant, which is surrounded by residential areas, has collapsed from the force of explosions and fire, the town's mayor said.

Apex Mayor Keith Weatherly told reporters that firefighters would use video equipment to locate and extinguish the source of the blaze.

At least 18 people, including eight police officers and a fireman, were treated on Friday for smoke and gas inhalation.

Schools were closed in the area, and a chemical smell was detectable up to three kilometres from the accident.

Firefighters had difficulty bringing the 50-metre flames under control on Thursday night. Security concerns only allowed them to seriously fight the blaze after day break.

The cause of the accident remained unclear.