DERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. --
A large blaze ripped through the Keystone Foam Corporation on Route 982 in Derry Township, Westmoreland County.
The plant, which manufactures rubber and miscellaneous plastic products, went up in flames late Thursday morning.
According to officials, employees who were on break noticed flames in the rear of the building and told everyone to get out.
Propane tanks inside the plant began exploding a short time later, sending thick, black smoke into the air, according to WTAE Channel 4 Action News reporter Jennifer Miele.
"I come out on break and I seen smoke behind that trailer," said employee Dawn Guy. "It just came so fast."
According to crews, glue and foam inside the building began burning, which is hazardous. Crews said, together, the combination creates hydrogen cyanide, which was once used as a chemical warfare agent.
"With the product that they have here, it was deemed that they were going to do an exterior-only attack," said Dan Stevens of Westmoreland County Public Safety. "Just so they didn't subject any to firefighters."
Crews had trouble getting the blaze under control since there was only an 8-inch water main nearby. They had to truck water in to fight the flames.
Officials evacuated nearby homes and kept people about 100 yards from the plant while firefighters work to extinguish the flames.
Due to the massive amount of smoke, the Department of Environmental Protection is monitoring air and ground water up to 10 miles away. So far, they said, everything appears to be clear.
So far, there is no word on what started the blaze.
No injuries were reported, but two firefighters were treated on the scene for heat exhaustion.
The owner of the plant estimates damages at about $6 million.
He said he is looking for a temporary location to set up shop and hopes to have at least half of all employees back to work by Monday.
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