Evacuations were ordered as a massive fire engulfed a smoke oil and gas service company in Leetsdale.
The fire at Weatherford Engineered Chemistry was reported around 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, according to TribLive.com. The company told reporters that the fire started “during the process of adding chemicals used in (hydraulic) fracturing to a production tank."
Allegheny County Emergency Services Chief Alvin Henderson said several hundred firefighters responded to the fire as the fire spread to a second building in the complex.
The intense fire, which was placed under control around 2 p.m., threatened a half-dozen other buildings.
The smoke from the blaze included ammonium persulfate and sodium chlorite, Henderson said. A regional hazardous materials team was called to check the scene for safety.
Authorities ordered nearby residents to shelter-in-place while the incident was being evaluated. Eventually 72 homes and several industrial parks were evacuated.
“Some people don't want to leave because of their pets,” Leetsdale council member Joe McGurk said.
Five workers were injured, including one who suffered burns. Three firefighters were also injured.
