MELVINDALE, Mich. --
Three-thousand residents and two schools are being evacuated in Melvindale after a chemical spill at Reilly Plating Company and potential rain could make the situation even worse, officials said.
Officials said the leak happened around 10 a.m. at the Reilly Plating Company located on Clarann Street in Melvindale.
Police have evacuated 3,000 residents who live or work in the area of Oakwood and Dix roads, including a small trailer park, according to Melvindale Fire Chief Scott Wellman.
Allendale Elementary and Strong Junior High students are being relocated to the Melvindale Ice Arena and Baker College.
School officials told Local 4 they are in crisis mode.
There are no injuries reported.
Officials said 500 gallons of hydrochloric acid leaked into a containment area at the plant.
There is concern about the rain in the forecast. If the acid gets into the rain water, it could be more hazardous.
There is also concern that when the acid mixes with the rain, a larger vapor cloud could form.
To watch 4 Live Radar click here.
Officials said cleanup could take up to six hours.
Hydrochloric acid is the major component of gastric acid and is highly corrosive.
Both the mist and the solution could have a corrosive effect on human tissue, potentially damaging respiratory organs, eyes, skin and intestines.
Reilly Plating provides metal finishing services to the automotive and general industries. It specializes in barrel zinc and zinc/alloy electroplating, mechanical plating, phosphating, and painting.
Stay with Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit.com for further updates.
Copyright 2007 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
